Fire razes shops, kiosks in Ejigbo Market, LASU campus, elsewhere

FIRE wreaked havoc in Ejigbo market at the weekend, destroying shops and nearby stalls at the Powerline corridor of the ever-busy market. The incident, which began around 4pm on Saturday, was caused by indiscriminate burning of refuse by a resident.

But for the quick intervention of men of the Lagos State Fire Service and shop owners in the area, the entire market, comprising of a sawmill and foodstuff market would have been razed, an eyewitness said.

In a related development, fire outbreaks were also recorded at the Anthony Campus of the Lagos State University (LASU) and a residential building at 23 Adamo Kabiawu street, Cele Bus Stop, Oke-Odo in Agege in the early hours of yesterday.

An eyewitness, who identified self as Success, told The Guardian that the fire began from an illegal dump site right behind the market, “but soon got out of hand, spreading into the market and beyond.”

Babaloja of the market said though no life was lost, but his men, supported by firefighters had to work all night to contain the fire from spreading deep into the market. He blamed nearby residents, who he alleged were in the habit of dumping refuse at the illegal dumpsite.

Ojoon of Ejigboland, Oba Morufu Ojoola, however, blamed the market men and women for accommodating illegal dumpsite and scavengers in their territories. He said they were careless to have allowed fire close to the wood market, threatening that he might reconsider their tenancy in the area.

According to him: “This is saw-dust and it is bound to burn. No one can stop it. This was how Isolo market was completely burnt down. This place has been turned to dust bin and all the saw-millers kept quiet. I will have to report you to the governor,” the monarch warned.

Besides Ejigbo market, fire outbreaks were also reported in nine other places on Saturday, according to the Director of Lagos Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe. Fadipe said some shops were razed besides Bible College at Awolowo road, Oke-Ota Ona, Ikorodu; a bungalow building of 10 rooms at 3, Sadiku street, Off Afariogun, Mafoluku, Oshodi; a building behind Hotel De James, Badagary and another behind PZ Industry, Odogunyan in Ikorodu among others.