A devastating fire broke out late Friday night at the Idumota spare parts market in Lagos State, resulting in the destruction of properties and goods valued at hundreds of millions of naira. The blaze, which began around 10:20 PM, rapidly engulfed multiple buildings used for the sale of car spare parts, leaving shop owners and traders to assess their significant losses.
According to Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), emergency response teams were promptly dispatched following distress calls received via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines. Upon arrival at the scene by 10:55 PM, responders found several structures fully engulfed in flames.
“The immediate or remote causes of the fire incident are still under investigation,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated. “However, we can confirm that no casualties or injuries were reported during this incident.”
The combined efforts of LASEMA’s Shark Response Team, Fire Unit, and other emergency services were crucial in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to adjacent buildings. Firefighters have commenced "dampening down" operations to extinguish remaining pockets of fire and salvage any recoverable properties.
This incident follows a similar fire outbreak earlier in the week at Alayabiagba Boundary Market in Ajegunle, which also resulted in significant property damage. The frequency of such incidents raises concerns about fire safety measures in commercial areas across Lagos.