Explosion Rocks Lagos Market, Destroys Goods Worth Millions
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Lagos State was rocked by a devastating explosion at the Alayabiagba Market in Ajegunle on Tuesday morning, leaving millions of naira worth of goods destroyed.
The fire, which spread rapidly, gutted several shops, including a gas retail shop where the explosion is believed to have originated.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that the blast occurred at a gas shop storing cylinders of various sizes, which ignited following a suspected gas leak.
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The inferno caused significant damage to at least 11 shops, devastating vendors and their livelihoods. Among the destroyed items were phones, PVC ceiling pipes, clothes, and other daily essentials.
According to the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency received distress calls around 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday.
He said, “In response to distress calls via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency numbers, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated its Response Team from Onipanu Base.”
Upon arrival at the scene at 9:37 a.m., LASEMA’s Eagle response team found that the market shops were engulfed in flames.
Investigations later revealed that the explosion originated from the gas retailer’s shop where gas cylinders were stored, reportedly due to a gas leak from one of the cylinders.
Oke-Osanyintolu further disclosed that the coordinated efforts of the Cobra team and firemen on-site were instrumental in containing the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings.
However, the damages were substantial. “A total of 11 shops were affected by the fire,” he stated.
The explosion left extensive destruction, with two shops where the gas cylinders were stored and nine others housing various goods consumed by the blaze. The losses are expected to run into millions of naira.
While the extent of the human toll remains unclear, emergency services have managed to control the fire, and investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.
LASEMA officials have assured the public of continued efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
