Millions lost as midnight fire razes Lagos market

Fear spread across parts of Lagos in the early hours of Saturday after a fire broke out at a market in the Yaba area.

The blaze, said to have started around 3 a.m., destroyed several shops and goods, according to eyewitness accounts.

Videos circulating on social media showed heavy smoke and raging flames taking over sections of the market, as traders and residents rushed to rescue whatever they could from the inferno.

An eyewitness in a TikTok livestream monitored by Very Nigerian identified as Lugar Feliz, said firefighters were already at the scene, adding that the incident occurred around the Popo part of the Market in Yaba.

Several users on X (formerly Twitter) also raised an alarm over the incident.

A user, Clinically firm (@GAnorue17378), posted, “BREAKING: Yaba Market on Fire since yesterday Night. Details later.”

Another user, Obutexofficial (@Obutex7), wrote, “Yaba on Fire, fire outbreak since 1 am.”

Similarly, Olamilekan Iyiola (@Olamilekan0932) described the situation as “a terrible fire outbreak in yaba right now.”

Reacting to the incident, Adeoluwa. (@Okunlola_Jude) said, “Woke up to the news that yaba is burning, the shops just behind mine completely burnt to ground, billions gone like that.”

He also alleged challenges with the emergency response, writing, “Fire service headquarters is just 10 mins walk from there, they could only bring a truck.”

Another user, Sullex Print and Branding (@SullexBranding), claimed that some of the responding fire trucks lacked water.

“Three fire service trucks and only one truck has water, fire outbreak currently at Ajibode street, Yaba,” the user posted.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained, while there was no official statement from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service on the extent of damage or possible casualties.

Efforts to contain the blaze were ongoing as residents called for improved emergency response to prevent further losses.

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