A devastating fire swept through a section of the plank market in Lagos's Amukoko area, resulting in the destruction of 351 shops and displacing over 1,000 traders. The fire ignited around 1 am on a Wednesday, causing extensive damage to the market.
Ibrahim Farinloye, the Co-ordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South-West, confirmed the incident. He noted that the affected shops, along with 25 attachments, accommodated multiple traders. The cause of the fire remains uncertain, despite the precautionary measures taken by the market management to prevent such incidents.
The plank market, often home to various artisans, including tailors and printers, had a registered membership of 1,058 individuals. Two residential buildings adjacent to the market were also affected by the inferno.
Traders in the area had managed to clear the remnants of burnt milling and sewing machines during the assessment. NEMA emphasized the importance of safety as Nigeria enters the dry season, which brings its own set of challenges and increased fire risk due to the drier atmosphere.
