Hundreds of shops burnt down in Lagos. see details

Barely 72 hours after an early morning inferno razed five plazas at the Balogun Market, Lagos Island, another fire broke out at the popular Berlin Market, destroying hundreds of shops.

When The Nation visited the market, thick smoke was still oozing from the razed shops. The heartbroken traders and other sympathisers, were seen discussing in groups. They watched hopelessly, as the last of the fire-fighters were departing in their vehicles.

It was gathered that the fire which started around 4am, began at a food vendor's shop and quickly spread to other shops completely destroying them.

A source who refused to be named said: "The fire must have been started by area boys who would want to seize the opportunity to loot goods belonging to traders. It has always been their practice. After the dust have settled you see them selling off stolen items in the open market."

According to one Sunday Badmus, the fire consumed about 500 shops especially the shanties.

"It began near one of the shops not too far from one of the banks in the area. It later spread to other areas. It was also supported by the hazy hamartan wind" the witness said.

The secretary of the market's management committee, Mr John Olabisi, explained that the fire may have been caused by power surge adding that there had been unsteady supply of power in the area lately.

"The incident has been reported to the owner of the market space Chief Owolabi Martins. About 2000 shops in the market, with goods worth billions of naira, have so far gone up in flames as we speak," said another member of the market association, Chief Bamidele Obasa.

In a telephone conversation with outr correspondents both the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe and the southwest spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), Ibrahim Farinloye said the situation has been contained.

Farinloye said the shanty nature of the area was also an impediment to rescuers who were unable to move from one end to another to thoroughly fight the fire.

Fadipe said the fire started around 3 am, but that they received information about it around 4.30am.

"We quickly sent two fire trucks to the place. Right now the third fire truck is on the way. One of our men sustained injuries. He was attacked by hoodlums who attempted to take over the fire hose from him. He is presently being treated at the Lagos Island General Hospital" he said.