Fire guts Oshodi Arena market, clothing shops destroyed

Fire has gutted a section of the Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos State, destroying about 10 shops.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the statement signed by the Service’s Director, Margaret Adeseye, the agency received a distress call at about 5:50 p.m. reporting a fire outbreak at Arena Market, Bolade, Oshodi. Firefighting units were immediately deployed and arrived at the scene within five minutes, at approximately 5:55 p.m.

She explained that the fire affected a section of the market comprising five 40-foot container shops arranged in two rows, bringing the total number of shops impacted to 10.

“The affected area is mainly used for the storage and sale of clothing materials, stocked in bales. The fire was successfully confined to the affected section and has been fully curtailed. The situation is firmly under control, with no risk of the fire spreading to other parts of the market,” the statement read.

Adeseye assured members of the public that all necessary measures had been taken to safeguard lives and property, adding that an investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire. She said updates would be provided as more information becomes available.

The incident marks the second major fire outbreak in Lagos within a week.

Last week, a massive fire engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island.