Over 120 shops belonging to the palm and vegetable oil sellers at Daleko Market in Isolo, Lagos, was gutted by fire on Sunday.
Eyewitness account told our correspondent that the over 120 shops were completely razed with others partially affected after an electrical fault sparked the inferno.
Our correspondent gathered that the fire started around 9:30am and raged such that motorists on the bridge could feel the heat but for the intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service prevented the inferno from wrecking more havoc.
Fire fighters and other rescue agencies cordoned off the affected areas, while traders had to transfer their wares from the market to neighbouring streets, causing gridlock on the road.
To make the transfer swift, our correspondent who visited the market shortly after the fire had been put out observed that openings were created by removing the road demarcation, thus saving the lorries the stress of having to go and turn at Palm Avenue.
When contacted, Fire Service Director, Rasaq Fadipe said they were not overwhelmed and confirmed that about 120 shops were destroyed, calling for the overhauling of electrical wiring systems across Lagos Markets.
“We are battling with the outbreak and 120 open shops, selling palm oil and vegetable oil were consumed by fire. Fire fighting operation is still on, but we are fully in control. The incident was caused by power surge.
“There is need for total overhauling of electrical wiring system in Lagos markets. We responded with three fire trucks of 1000 litres of water each from Isolo, Ilupeju and ikeja,” Fadipe said.
Follow Us