Tragedy struck late Tuesday night as a fire engulfed the popular Alayabiagba Boundary Market in Ajegunle, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State. The inferno, which broke out around 9:30 pm, destroyed properties worth millions of naira, but no lives were lost, according to eyewitness reports.

Eyewitness Julius Akpor recounted the chaos, with people scrambling to safety as the flames spread. Prompt action by emergency responders, including the Federal and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Nigeria Police, successfully contained the blaze.

Cause of the Fire
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, revealed that the fire started in a gas retailer’s shop due to a gas cylinder leak. The flames quickly spread to other shops, consuming at least 11 in total.

Oke-Osanyitolu explained, “Investigations revealed that the explosion originated from a gas retailer’s shop where cylinders of various sizes were stored. A gas leak from one of the filled cylinders caused the fire, which spread to adjacent shops.”

The Director of the Lagos Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that the quick response from emergency teams prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. The affected shops included two gas retail outlets and nine others selling items like clothes, phones, PVC pipes, and daily necessities.

Extent of Damage and Rescue Efforts
The fire destroyed goods and properties worth millions of naira, leaving shop owners devastated. However, through collaborative efforts by LASEMA’s Cobra team and the fire services, the blaze was brought under control, preventing further destruction.

Dr. Oke-Osanyitolu concluded, “The fire has been successfully curtailed, and rescue operations have been concluded. Thankfully, there was no loss of life in the incident.”

Authorities have urged traders and residents to adhere to strict safety measures, particularly when handling flammable materials, to prevent similar incidents in the future.