On Thursday, several assets worth millions of naira were destroyed in an early morning fire that touched three shops at Ladipo Baale Roundabout Plank Market in Orile-Iganmu, Lagos.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that no one died in the incident.
The fire, which started around midnight, impacted a section of the plank market.
According to Oke-Osanyitolu, subsequent investigations indicated that the blaze began with a pile of planks caused by a power surge and swiftly spread to three other stores in the market.
No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.Responders saved a substantial number of boards and goods worth millions of naira throughout the operation.
The responders’ collaborative efforts allowed them to rapidly put the fire under control before it spread to other stores.
The agency’s Response Team and members of the Plank Market Association performed public advocacy on preventive measures to avoid similar disasters in the future.
“LASEMA Response Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigerian Police Force responded to the emergency,”Oke-Osanyitolu said”
In Essence
The destruction of assets worth millions of naira is a significant economic blow to the affected shop owners.
Fires in markets can have ripple effects on livelihoods and local economies, highlighting the need for insurance options and support systems for small business owners to recover from such losses.
While no casualties were reported, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in urban areas.
Regular drills, risk assessments, and infrastructure improvements can help reduce the likelihood and impact of similar events in the future.
