A devastating fire razed a one-storey shopping complex at 1, Amore Street, Ajegunle Boundary, Lagos, destroying goods worth millions of naira. The shops, primarily used for clothing storage and sales, were completely engulfed by flames.
Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that the agency received distress calls prompting the immediate activation of the state’s emergency response plan.
“Our responders arrived to find the entire shopping complex already on fire,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “The fire spread rapidly due to the high concentration of combustible materials in the shops.”
Preliminary investigations indicate that the blaze was triggered by a power surge shortly after the restoration of public electricity supply. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
LASEMA reported that its team, in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police Force, quickly contained the fire to prevent damage to surrounding buildings.
“The entire one-storey shopping complex and surrounding shops were completely razed, with all goods and properties destroyed,” LASEMA said. “A physical assessment revealed partial structural compromise, and an immediate structural integrity evaluation is necessary.”
Firefighting operations have concluded, while damping-down activities continue to prevent re-ignition. Rescue and recovery operations have also been completed.
The agency recommended a full structural assessment of the building, a review of fire safety measures, and improved storage practices in commercial facilities within the area.
Officials at the scene included responders from LASEMA’s Cappa Base and Fire Unit, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigeria Police Force.
