Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed on Tuesday evening after a fire outbreak gutted a section of the popular Arena Market located around Bolade, Oshodi, in Lagos State.
The fire affected no fewer than 10 shops, leaving many traders counting their losses. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued shortly after the fire was put out.
According to the agency, it received an emergency distress call at about 5:50 p.m., reporting that a fire had broken out within the market. Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene and arrived within five minutes of receiving the call.
The quick response by emergency officials helped to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the market, which is one of the busiest commercial centers in the Oshodi area.
Providing details of the incident, the Controller of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the fire was limited to a cluster of five 40-foot container shops arranged in two rows. This arrangement brought the total number of affected shops to 10.
She explained that the affected shops were mainly used for storing and selling clothing materials, most of which were packed in large bales. These materials, she said, helped the fire to spread quickly within the affected section.
“The shops were mainly used for the storage and sale of clothing materials kept in bales, which fuelled the fire,” Adeseye stated.
Despite the nature of the goods involved, she said the fire was successfully brought under control due to the swift action of the firefighters.
Mrs Adeseye assured traders and residents in the area that the fire had been completely extinguished and that there was no danger to other parts of the market.
“The fire has been completely curtailed and the situation is under control. There is no threat to other sections of the market,” she said.
She also confirmed that no life was lost in the incident and that no injuries were recorded.
According to her, necessary safety measures were taken to protect lives and nearby property, adding that the response of the firefighters helped to reduce the level of damage.
An investigation has since been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire. The fire service said further updates would be provided as soon as more information becomes available.
Many traders at the Arena Market were seen on Tuesday night inspecting the remains of their shops and salvaging what was left of their goods. Some traders said they lost everything to the fire, while others said they were grateful that the fire did not spread further.
A trader, who sells fabrics at the market and asked not to be named, said the incident was devastating. “This is our only source of income. Everything inside those containers is gone. We can only thank God that nobody died,” she said.
Another trader said the fire started suddenly and spread fast because of the nature of the goods stored inside the containers. “Once the fire started, it was difficult to stop because those clothes catch fire easily,” he said.
Despite the losses, many traders praised the fire service for responding quickly and stopping the fire from consuming the entire market.
Arena Market is one of the major markets in Oshodi and serves traders and buyers from different parts of Lagos. The market is known for the sale of clothing materials, shoes, bags, and other fashion items.
Oshodi itself is a major commercial and transport hub in Lagos, with thousands of people passing through the area daily. Any major incident in the area often affects business activities and traffic flow.
Market fires are a recurring problem in Lagos, especially in densely packed markets where goods are stored close to each other and safety measures are sometimes inadequate.
The Arena Market fire is coming just days after another major fire outbreak in Lagos. Last week, a massive inferno engulfed the Great Nigeria Insurance House located on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
The fire affected several floors of the high-rise building and raised serious concerns about the safety of the structure. Emergency responders battled the fire for hours before it was brought under control.
Following an assessment visit to the site, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced plans to demolish the affected building. He cited serious safety concerns and the risk the structure posed to lives and nearby properties.
The governor disclosed that a committee led by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, would oversee the demolition process.
The repeated cases of fire outbreaks in markets and buildings across Lagos have renewed calls for improved fire safety measures. Experts have often blamed such incidents on poor wiring, use of substandard electrical materials, overcrowding, and lack of fire prevention equipment.
The Lagos State Government has continued to urge market leaders and traders to comply with safety guidelines, including proper electrical installations and the availability of fire extinguishers.
The Fire and Rescue Service has also encouraged residents to report fire outbreaks early and avoid storing highly flammable materials in unsafe conditions.
Residents have also been advised to remain calm during emergencies and allow firefighters to do their work without interference.
As investigations continue into the Arena Market fire, affected traders are hoping for support and possible assistance to help them recover from their losses.
For now, business activities at the affected section of the market have been disrupted, while other parts of the market have resumed normal operations.
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