A suspected electrical surge is linked to a fire at Sabo Market in Ikorodu, Lagos, where 17 shops were damaged and goods destroyed, with no casualties recorded.
An early morning fire at Sabo Market in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has destroyed 17 shops and goods worth an undisclosed amount of money, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, with the emergency agency reporting that the fire started at about 1:10 a.m. in one of the shops before spreading to other adjoining businesses.
Although the blaze caused significant damage to property and merchandise, no death or injury was recorded.
The fire reportedly affected a section of the market containing 32 shops, with 17 of them sustaining damage before emergency responders were able to bring the situation under control.
LASEMA said preliminary investigations pointed to a suspected electrical surge during public power supply as the possible cause of the incident.
The agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale, disclosed the development in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to the agency, emergency personnel were alerted to the fire and swiftly mobilised to the market. Responders from the LASEMA Tiger Squad worked alongside officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to tackle the flames and prevent the incident from escalating.
When the emergency teams arrived at the scene, they reportedly found a row of shops already engulfed by the fire.
The responders immediately commenced firefighting operations, focusing on containing the flames within the affected section. Their intervention helped stop the fire from reaching other parts of the market and nearby structures.
The agency explained that the fire had started from a single shop before spreading to neighbouring shops in the row.
The rapid spread of the flames resulted in the destruction of several businesses and the goods kept inside them.
Among the items reportedly lost in the incident were provisions, groceries, foodstuffs and other valuable merchandise belonging to traders operating in the affected shops.
For many of the affected business owners, the incident is expected to result in financial losses, as the fire destroyed goods that were reportedly stocked for commercial purposes.
Despite the damage recorded, the emergency agency said the quick arrival and coordinated efforts of the responders helped to protect the remaining shops and other sections of the market.
LASEMA said the emergency operation was eventually brought to a successful conclusion, with the fire completely extinguished and the immediate recovery activities completed.
Following the conclusion of the operation, the response team reportedly returned to its base after ensuring that the situation was under control.
The agency praised personnel involved in the operation, particularly members of its Tiger Squad and officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, for their prompt and coordinated response.
The incident has once again raised concerns about electrical safety in busy markets, where shops are often packed closely together and contain large quantities of combustible materials.
Responding to the development, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged traders and market leaders to take precautionary measures to prevent electrical faults from triggering similar disasters.
He advised business owners to ensure that electrical installations in their shops are properly wired and regularly inspected by qualified professionals.
Oke-Osanyintolu also warned traders against overloading electrical sockets and appliances, noting that poor electrical practices can increase the risk of fire outbreaks, particularly in commercial environments.
He encouraged market leaders to work with traders to promote better safety practices and ensure that electrical systems within their respective markets are maintained appropriately.
The Permanent Secretary further called on residents to promptly alert emergency authorities whenever they notice a fire or any other dangerous situation.
He reminded members of the public that emergencies can be reported through Lagos State’s toll-free emergency numbers, 112 and 767, to enable responders to take immediate action.
The latest incident adds to the concerns surrounding fire outbreaks in commercial areas, where the destruction of shops and goods can severely affect the livelihoods of traders and business owners.
LASEMA, however, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to responding swiftly to emergencies and protecting the lives, property and means of livelihood of residents.
The agency’s response to the Sabo Market fire ultimately prevented the flames from spreading beyond the affected section, limiting what could have been a more devastating incident.
While investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the fire may continue, the agency’s preliminary assessment has identified an electrical surge as the suspected trigger.
The authorities have consequently used the incident to remind traders and residents that proper electrical maintenance, careful use of appliances and early reporting of emergencies remain essential in reducing the risk of major fire disasters.
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