A raging fire has gutted a section of the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos, sparking panic among traders and residents.
Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the inferno, which started on Tuesday evening, tore through several plazas near the Ojo Local Government Secretariat in Ojo town.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames and thick smoke rising from the buildings as traders watched helplessly.
Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the scene and battled to contain the blaze.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started suddenly, catching many shop owners unawares. Several shops filled with electronics, furniture, and building materials were destroyed before emergency responders could arrive.
Officials confirmed that the exact cause of the fire had not yet been determined.
However, traders suspect it may have been triggered by an electrical fault or generator explosion, both common causes of market fires in Lagos.
The Alaba International Market, located along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, is one of West Africa’s busiest trading centers. It attracts thousands of buyers daily from across Nigeria and neighboring countries.
Tuesday’s fire adds to a growing number of market infernos reported in Lagos this year. In September, a blaze at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, claimed at least ten lives and injured several others.
The six-storey complex was one of the city’s major business landmarks before the disaster.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has since issued repeated warnings about poor electrical safety and overcrowded market layouts that make firefighting difficult.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also directed state officials to step up market inspections to prevent similar incidents.
The state government recently reopened Alaba and Trade Fair markets after a safety review and demolition of illegal structures.
As of Tuesday night, emergency workers were still at the scene of the Alaba fire to prevent a possible reignition. Security operatives also cordoned off the area to stop looters from taking advantage of the chaos.
Several traders were seen counting their losses as they salvaged what remained of their goods. “I lost everything,” said one electronics dealer. “I had just stocked up for the festive season.”
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has urged affected traders to report their losses for assessment as investigations continue.
