A popular spare parts market in Lagos has been burnt by fire during the early hours of Wednesday, where one feared dead in the inferno.
Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in the fire incident that occurred at Akere Spare Parts Market, Ajegunle in the Apapa area of Lagos State.
A 65-year-old security guard’s lifeless body was also said to have been discovered near the scene of the incident.
Adeseye Margaret, the Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the fire started around 3:28 a.m., adding that the Ajegunle Fire Station was the first respondent.
“Upon arrival, it was discovered that rows of shops that traded in auto spare parts were well alight, which led to Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Crews of the Agency joining up to subdue the raging Fire and salvage a nearby major market Petroleum Filling Station with a fully loaded 33,000 litres PMS tanker amongst other adjoining building,” according to the statement.
“However, a male adult was recovered by the Tolu Police Division of the Nigerian Police around the scene while the Lagos Neighborhood and Safety Corps and the Red Cross were also in attendance.”
Adeseye added that the cause of the fire would require an investigation to account for the number of lockup shops and wares lost.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed to our correspondent that the deceased was shot dead.