Explosion destroys goods worth millions at Lagos market

Millions of naira worth of goods were destroyed on Tuesday morning in an explosion that rocked Alayabiagba Market in the boundary area of Ajegunle, Lagos State.

Goods, including phones, PVC ceiling pipes and clothes, were consumed in the explosion.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident, adding that the explosion occurred at a gas retail shop in the market.

The fire reportedly affected no fewer than eleven shops, resulting in millions of naira worth of losses.

The Permanent Secretary in charge of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said in a statement on Tuesday: “In response to distress calls via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency numbers at 0920hrs, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated its Response Team from Onipanu Base.”

LASEMA further stated: “Upon arrival of the Eagle response team at the incident scene by 0937hrs, it was observed that some shops at the Alayabiagba market were engulfed by fire.

“Investigations conducted revealed that the explosion originated from a gas retailer’s shop where gas cylinders of various sizes were stored, as a result of gas leakage from one of the cylinders before spreading to other shops in the aforementioned location.”

Oke-Osanyintolu also noted: “Collaborative efforts of the Cobra team with the firemen at the scene have contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to adjoining buildings.”

According to LASEMA, “A total of 11 shops were affected by the fire.”

Two shops, where the gas cylinders were stored, and nine other shops containing clothes, phones, PVC pipes, and daily needs were also destroyed in the inferno.

     READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE