A witness has given a hint about the cause of the inferno that gutted popular Tejuoso market in Yaba area of Lagos on Wednesday. According to several anonymous witnesses, the fire started from a room where a resident was preparing a meal. They said the food was left unattended and the gas cyclinder on which it was being cooked exploded, thereby spreading the fire to other parts within the market. The fire according to them, started at about 12:30 pm.
A rough preliminary estimates put the value of properties lost to the inferno in the region of several millions of naira.
A joint rescue team by the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Lagos Fireand Rescue Service (LSFRS), Nigeria Police, National Emergency Management Authority(NEMA) and Lagos Neighbourhood Security Watch, among others, took on the challenge to put out the fire but as at the time of filing this report, smokes and pockets of fire still bellow from trhe scene.
LASEMA Chief, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said the rescue effort was still underway: “Upon arrival at the incident scene, it was discovered that several wooden shanties at the along Tejuosho canal were gutted by fire.
“Fire combat is presently ongoing to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings like NTA , Oba Tejuosho House, and other residential estates in the environ. Rescue operation still ongoing.” he said, while giving assurances that the inferno will be extinguished very soon.
