Fire guts Balogun Market, sawmill, houses in Lagos

Tragedy struck in Lagos State on Sunday and Monday as multiple fire incidents occurred in different parts of the state, taking a life and destroying property.

The fire razed Balogun Market on the Lagos Island, Oko Baba Sawmill in Ebute Meta and four houses in the Igando area of the state.

A pensioner, identified simply as Baba Bende lost his life in the Ebute Metta incident, while property estimated at billions of naira was destroyed in the incidents.

It was said the Oko Baba Sawmill fire began around 9pm on Sunday and was put off around 3am on Monday.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the father of one died while trying to save his pension files.

He said, “Baba Bende wanted to take his pension files, and that was how the fire engulfed him in the house.”

We observed that shanties constructed around the sawmill were razed to the ground.

In the Balogun Market, traders watched in shock on Monday as goods estimated at billions of naira were lost after the fire ravaged five buildings in the market.

The traders said the fire began around 4am.

A banking hall belonging to Diamond Bank was also affected by the flames.

When we visited the scene on Monday, the fire was still raging as rescue agencies from the federal, state, local government areas and others from corporate organisations battled to put it out.

A woman, identified as Aunty Funmi was in tears, while some traders milled around her in sympathy.

One of those consoling her,said Funmi was devastated because she lost goods worth about N6m to the inferno.

She said, “I am also a trader in the market. I sell Italian shoes and bags and lost goods worth about N1.5m. I didn’t get to know until after 7am.

“The fire is still ongoing due to inflammable materials such as tyres dumped at the site.”