Ladipo Market Inferno: Traders Count Losses In Millions As Goods Got Gutted By Fire
CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Despite claims of prompt response from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, traders at Ladipo Market, Mushin area of Lagos, suffered huge losses and they are now counting in tears several Millions of Naira lost.
P.M.EXPRESS investigation revealed that some of the traders lost goods worth millions of Naira before the rescue team brought the inferno under control.
The story building located at Alapeju/Osoro Streets occupied by traders known as Rowland Traders Association, were mainly dealing on Japanese parts and other accessories. They were said to have closed and gone home before the buildings were gutted by fire.
Some of the affected traders were still in shock to actually calculate the amount of goods that were destroyed by fire.
LASEMA has in a statement by the Head of Public Affairs, Nosa Okunbor, stated as follows:
“Quick response of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) saved uncountable lives and properties from devastation by the fire outbreak at the popular Ladipo motor spare parts market.The fire which was reported to have broken out from one of the several shops dealing in vehicle spare parts in Alapeju Section of the Ladipo Market and was quickly quelled by LASEMA and it’s collaborators, recorded no injuries, nor fatalities”.
“Timely response of the Agency to the fire outbreak reported through the Agency’s Toll Free Emergency numbers 112/767 this morning, saved goods worth several hundreds of millions of naira, from destruction at the motor spare parts market, in Mushin Local Government Area, in Lagos.The incidence, which attracted attention of residents, also brought traders residing close to the market to their shops in order to either remove their wares or assist in putting out the inferno.
Situation report emanating from office of the Director General/Chief Executive Officer, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, on the inferno at Ladipo Market, Oshodi has it that; “Upon arrival at the scene, Agency responders discovered a single storey building used for commercial purposes.(selling of motor parts) was engulfed in flames.The cause of the inferno has not been identified as at time of filling this report. Combined team comprising of the Agency’s LASEMA Response Team, (LRT), LASEMA Response Unit Fire, (LRU fire), Lagos State and Federal Fire services, made concerted efforts and subdued the inferno, preventing it from spreading to the surrounding buildings.