The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has
confirmed a fire outbreak that destroyed several shops at 155 Olojo Drive,
opposite Tantalizers, within the Alaba International Market area
of Ojo Local Government, Lagos State.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, October
22, 2025, by the agency’s Senior Public Affairs Officer, Maria Fadairo,
the fire was reported at 7:18 p.m., prompting immediate deployment of
firefighters from the Ojo and Ijegun-Egba fire stations.
The incident involved multiple lock-up shops
within a two-storey building occupying about 648 square meters,
located inside a market complex spanning five hectares.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire
originated from the topmost floor of the building shortly after electricity was
restored, due to negligence on the part of some shop owners,” the statement
said.
Access to the affected areas was difficult as most
shops were closed, necessitating forced entry to suppress the fire — a delay
which contributed to its spread. The flames, however, were confined to the top
floor.
Furniture and Power Equipment Shops
Affected
The affected shops were mainly dealers in furniture
items, alternative power equipment, and a law office, the
agency noted.
Firefighting operations were successfully completed by
10:10 p.m., with support from the Federal Fire Service, Lagos
State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management
Agency (LASEMA), and the Ojo Police Division.
The Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and
Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, commended the joint
efforts of all responding agencies and urged business owners to observe strict fire
safety practices, especially in crowded commercial zones.
Videos obtained by Channels Television showed
parts of the market near the Ojo Local Government Secretariat engulfed
in flames, as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
The Alaba International Market, one of West
Africa’s largest commercial hubs, is known for the sale of electronics,
furniture, and building materials.
Tuesday’s incident comes one month after a fire at
Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, claimed at least 10 lives.
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