Shops, goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed after fire gutted the popular Alaba International market in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident was reported by Punch to have started on Friday morning from a shop where gas cylinders were stored before spreading to other parts of the market.
It was also learnt that the traders resorted to self-help to put out the fire before the arrival of emergency responders.
The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in a statement on Friday, however disclosed that the incident had degenerated into a security situation as officials of the agency were unable to gain access into the market.
The statement read, “Report reaching Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service indicates shops at the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos are on fire.
“However, Fire Crew from Ojo, Sari-Iganmu and Ajegunle are being turned back by angry mobs from performing their statutory duty but presently on standby.”
Adeseye said the agency was consequently collaborating with security agents to address the situation.
