29 January 2015, Lagos – Fire Thursday swept through some parts of Lagos, wreaking havoc in Ketu and Lawanson.
Some sections of the Jakande Market in Ketu were destroyed by the fire.
The MRS Filling Station in Lawanson, Surulere went up in flames when a tanker exploded while about discharging fuel.
The Ketu fire, which started around 4a.m., destroyed shanties, three vehicles and goods.
The fire started from the plank section and spread to the fairly used tyre and banana sections.
Most of the dejected traders declined comment. The Babaloja, Chief Taofeeq Adeoye, said he was busy having meetings.
The Nation gathered that it took emergency agencies about five hours with three fire trucks to contain the inferno.
Although the cause of the fire could not be ascertained, there were speculations that it might have been caused by electrical surge.
A fashion designer, Shina, said he was asleep when he suddenly felt hot from within.
“As I tried to take the key of the vehicle I just bought yesterday, I saw fire. I had no other option than to run for my life. It is very painful. All my machines went. I watched my shop burn. All I worked for went in minutes. The painful part of it is that all the clothes I waited behind to design burnt. How many clothes do I want to buy and refund to the owners?”he said.
A trader, Muritador, said he just brought in N4 million worth of plank machines last week, adding that he has not started using it.
He said: “I was still in bed when I received a call. I became destabilised. How I drove to the market was by God’s grace. It is really pathetic. I placed so much on this. Most of us collected loan to stock our shops.”
Mrs. Rukayat Jinadu, a restaurant operator, said she just opened her canteen on Monday.
She said she lost gas cylinders, cooking burners, foodstuff, freezers and a generator set to the fire.
“I am confused. Everything doesn’t make sense to me. I have been left to my fate,” Mrs. Jinadu said.
A furniture maker, Mr. Semiu Agoro, said he lost seven doors and two machines, adding that he had the intention to deliver the two wardrobes he just completed.
“I just pray my customer’s understand because when I got to the market, I couldn’t recognise my shop. I have cried and cried but I know it won’t bring my shop back,” he said.
- The Nation
