UPDATE: One die, seven injured in Balogun, Lagos market fire

One person was on Tuesday recovered dead and at least seven were injured after fire gutted two plazas at the Balogun Market, Lagos Island.

The plazas, located at Gbajumo and Balogun streets, were said to have 580 shops most of which got burnt in the inferno that started around 10 am

It was learnt that the fire broke out at the penthouse of the five-storey building, which the traders used as storehouses for their generators and other items. The fir razed the third, fourth and fifth floors.

The fire was said to have extended to an adjoining three-storey building completely burning the plaza.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the fatality and injured persons were evacuated by the medical team, while four persons who were alleged to have been looting wares were arrested by the police.

Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s Lagos Office Coordinator, said the fire led to the partial collapse of the five storey-building, explaining that the block work caved in leaving only the metals standing.

He said: “In all 580 shops including Union Bank are estimated to have been affected by the fire. The fire has been brought under control.

“One person was recovered dead and seven injured. Four were arrested for looting wares. Dampening of the whole buildings are ongoing,” said Farinloye.

However, the Lagos State Fire Service in a statement said no death was recorded, adding that five persons sustained minor injuries.

The agency’s director, Margaret Adeseye, said the fire affected 32 and 34 Balogun street, adding that it was stopped from spreading to other buildings.

“The scenario which involved combustible female shoes and sandals was agog with traders salvaging their wares and bystanders trying to catch the glimpse.

“The usually clumsy terrain quickly became inconvenient and created impediment for rapid firefighting operations which is now at dampening down of pocket of fires within the affected structures.

“The operations without any casualty however recorded minor injuries to about five persons who were treated and discharged on the spot by the medical emergency.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained as the affected structures are under examination to test their stability or otherwise,” she said.