Goods worth millions have been destroyed as fire razed the Oko Baba plank market in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed this in a statement on Sunday.
LASEMA spokesman, Nosa Okunbor, said officials of the LASEMA Response Team, LRU Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service have embarked on a search and rescue operation at Oko Baba plank market by Ibadan Street, Ebute Metta.
He said the immediate cause of the fire is unknown, adding that no life was lost or injuries sustained as a result of the incident.
“The fire consumed the main plank market, major parts of the shanties and goods worth millions of Naira,” Okunbor said.
“The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, received distress calls via the 767 / 112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 1020hrs.
“The Agency activated it’s Cobra Squad from the Onipanu Base and arrived the incident scene at 11020hrs.
“Upon arrival at the scene, it was observed that a plank market and shanties spread on a large expanse of land was engulfed by fire.
“The cause and origin of the fire outbreak could not be ascertained as at time of reporting this incident.”
The LASEMA spokesman said that the fire has been completely extinguished as emergency responders have secured the entire area.
According to him, the the “dampening down is in progress to prevent re-ignition,” with “occupants enlightened on the dangers, major causes, and ways of preventing fire outbreaks in market areas.”
This comes days after the Itamaga Plank market, Ikorodu in Lagos also gutted by fire.
The fire consumed a shop, resulting in the partial loss of goods and properties.
It, however, added that no life was lost, and no injuries were sustained during the incident.