Fire Guts Tejuosho Market in Lagos, Traders Lament Delayed Response
A fire outbreak on Wednesday evening engulfed parts of Tejuosho Market in Yaba, Lagos, causing panic among traders and shoppers as goods worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed.
The incident, which started in one section of the busy market, quickly spread due to the dense arrangement of stalls and highly flammable materials in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the fire began shortly after business activities were winding down for the day.
Traders and passersby initially attempted to control the flames using buckets of water and other improvised means before it grew beyond their control.
Thick smoke was seen billowing from several sections of the market, forcing people to flee for safety.
Some traders expressed frustration over what they described as a delayed response from emergency services.
According to them, although distress calls were made promptly, firefighters arrived when the blaze had already caused significant damage.
Many lamented that more goods could have been saved if intervention had come earlier.
Officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service later arrived at the scene and worked to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to adjoining sections of the market and nearby buildings.
Their efforts eventually brought the situation under control after several hours of firefighting operations.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the fire, but investigations are expected to commence.
Meanwhile, affected traders are counting their losses and appealing for government assistance as they begin the difficult task of recovering from the incident.