By Olokuta Rofiat
An early-morning fire has razed 48 shops at the Elegushi Model Market in the Lekki area of Lagos State, emergency officials said on Sunday.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received a distress call at about 2 a.m. and met the market already engulfed in flames on arrival.
Preliminary findings indicated that the fire started from a makeshift stall and spread rapidly to the main market structure. The exact cause was yet to be determined.
No casualties were recorded, as traders had not arrived at their shops at the time of the incident.
LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the swift response of emergency agencies helped contain the fire and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings.
Authorities urged traders to adopt basic fire-safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers and alarms, noting the frequent occurrence of market fires in Lagos.
