Fire destroys six shops in Lagos market

No fewer than six shops were destroyed in a fire incident that occurred on Sunday afternoon at the Aswani Mechanic Village in the Isolo area of Lagos State. It was learnt from a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, that the fire began at about 12:26 pm. According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the emergency response team was immediately deployed to the scene, and upon arrival, they met a fire that had gutted some shops within the mechanic village. He stated, “Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was triggered by a power surge. The inferno affected six shops. Fortunately, no vehicles were affected, and no lives were lost.” The PS noted that no life was lost in the incident, but six shops were destroyed. “There was no loss of life and no casualties recorded in the incident. All traders and artisans within the immediate area were safely evacuated. “While six shops were lost to the fire, prompt intervention prevented the spread to adjoining workshops and saved other properties within the village,” he noted. Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the fire was brought under control through the efforts of Lagos firefighters and the LASEMA team, adding that dampening-down operations were conducted so that the fire does not reignite. “The situation is now under control. Recovery and mop-up operations are ongoing at the affected section of Aswani Mechanic Village. The area has been secured to allow traders and relevant agencies to commence damage assessment. “The Lagos State Government commends the professionalism, speed, and inter-agency synergy displayed by all responders in managing the incident. “The government reminds all market and workshop operators of the need to adhere strictly to electrical safety standards, avoid overloading of circuits, and ensure that fire extinguishers are installed and serviced regularly within their facilities,” he concluded.