A fire outbreak on Thursday morning destroyed part of the electronics section of Justrite Superstore in the Egbeda-Akowonjo area of Lagos State, causing panic but no casualties. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) confirmed that the fire occurred at the popular supermarket located at No. 116 Akowonjo Road, near Jimoh Bus Stop, Egbeda.
Firefighters Respond Quickly
According to the Controller General of the LSFRS, Margaret Adeseye, the emergency call came in at about 8:15 a.m., and firefighters from the Abesan and Agege Fire Stations arrived at the scene by 8:28 a.m. She said the firefighters moved quickly to stop the flames from spreading to other parts of the building. "Upon arrival, firefighters swiftly deployed firefighting equipment and commenced coordinated operations to contain the fire, prevent its spread to adjoining sections of the building, and safeguard lives, property, and the environment," she said.
No Casualties, Solar Inverter Suspected
Thankfully, no life was lost in the incident. The fire has since been completely extinguished, while officials continue recovery and mop-up operations at the scene. Adeseye also revealed that early findings point to the building's solar inverter system as the likely source of the fire, although investigations are still ongoing to establish the exact cause. "The cause of the fire is suggestive of an alternative power source, the solar inverter system, while no casualty has been recorded," Adeseye said.
Broader Fire Safety Concerns
The incident is another reminder of growing concerns around power-related fire outbreaks, especially as many homes and businesses now rely on alternative energy sources due to Nigeria's unstable electricity supply. Interestingly, the Justrite fire happened only a few hours after another fire incident in Lagos involving a gas-laden tanker along Abaranje Road in Ikotun. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the tanker caught fire after colliding with a road bump, raising fresh concerns over fire safety across the state.
Recovery Operations Underway
The fire has been put out as recovery of the remains is ongoing to bring the mop-up exercise to a wrap. Firefighters deployed from the Abesan and Agege stations worked swiftly to suppress the flames and prevent the blaze from spreading to adjoining commercial sections within the superstore.
