A fierce fire outbreak in the early hours of Tuesday has resulted in the destruction of goods and properties valued at millions of naira at the bustling Computer Village market in Ikeja, Lagos.
Timeline of the Midnight Inferno
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 1:55 am on Tuesday, January 20. The agency's Command and Control Centre in Alausa immediately activated the state's emergency response plan upon receiving the alert.
Firefighters and emergency responders rushed to Somoye Osundairo Street in Computer Village, where a one-storey commercial building housing computer and accessory dealers was already engulfed. Active flames and dense smoke indicated intense combustion, fueled by the high volume of combustible materials typically stored by electronics traders.
Multi-Agency Response Limits Disaster
LASEMA's response team conducted a swift risk assessment and cordoned off the area. They coordinated a joint effort involving the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS, and the Nigeria Police Force.
This coordinated action was crucial in preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings in the densely packed market area. Firefighting operations successfully contained the blaze within the affected structure.
Aftermath and Investigation
While no lives were lost, some firefighters sustained minor injuries during the grueling operation. The aftermath revealed extensive damage, with the entire upper floor of the building completely razed.
All goods and properties stored on that floor were totally destroyed by the conflagration. LASEMA has announced that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, which remains unascertained at this time.
The incident underscores the perennial fire risks in Nigeria's major markets, especially those dealing in electronics and other flammable goods, highlighting the critical need for stringent safety measures.
