Textile
materials and fashion accessories estimated at millions of naira have been
consumed after fire gutted a shopping plaza on Broad Street on the Lagos Island
area of Lagos State.
Also,
a section of the Skye Bank branch in Ikeja was gutted by fire, destroying some
property.
PUNCH
Metro learnt that the Lagos Island fire
started around 8.55am after a power surge.
Workers
at the plaza were said to have made frantic efforts to put out the fire before
inviting officials of the Lagos State Fire Service and men of the Lagos State
Emergency Management Agency.
While
some traders watched helplessly as their goods burnt, others were said to have
struggled to salvage their wares.
A
firefighter with the state fire service, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
said the fire started from the second floor of the three-storey building,
adding that more than three fire trucks were deployed in the scene.
He
said, “It is a three-storey shopping plaza where they sell female fashion items
like bags, shoes and other accessories. The fire started from the second floor
and was caused by an electrical surge. We were able to curtail the spread
quickly.
“Firemen
from the Onikan, Sari Iganmu and Alausa stations responded with 10,000 litres
of water each.”
The
General Manager of LASEMA, Michael Akindele, said there was no casualty in the
incident, adding that some traders were able to save their wares.
“No
life was lost and there were no injuries. Traders in areas not affected moved
out their goods; everything is under control,” he added.
In
the Ikeja incident, PUNCH Metro gathered that the server room of Skye
Bank caught fire around 10.50am.
The
prompt response of firemen from the Ikeja fire station was said to have
prevented the fire from escalating.
Our
correspondent was told by a firefighter that the fire was also caused by a
power surge.
“They
called the fire service on time and that was what saved the day. The fire
started from their internet server room. There was a spark, which started a
fire.
“But
we were able to stand with them till the problem was fixed and banking
operation resumed without much delay,” he added.
The
Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Fire Service, Amodu Shakiru, called
for increased vigilance among residents.
He
said, “Both fire were caused by electrical upsurge and that is why we always
tell people to be cautious.
“You
can use the back of your hand to feel the heat of your electrical gadget. When
it is hot, you should know it is a potential hazard.”
Meanwhile,
several people were injured and about five shops set ablaze on Monday after
some hoodlums clashed at the Alaba International Market.
A
source told PUNCH Metro that the clash was between some Yoruba and Igbo
touts, who engaged in a supremacy battle over collection of fees.
A
witness said the fight started around 9am, adding that business activities had
been grounded as a result of the clash.
The
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor, who confirmed the incident,
explained that the clash was between the market’s transporters and traders
unions.
“The
transport employers association and the traders association were involved in
the incident. The Alaba traders complained that the activities of the transport
association were affecting their businesses. They said some of their customers
were being harassed and intimidated to pay exorbitant fees, and they were
losing them to their competitors.
“This
morning, the traders challenged the transport association which led to a
scuffle between the groups.”
He
added that policemen from the Ojo division and some military officers had
restored sanity to the area.
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