Fire ravages section of Alaba market in Lagos

A fire outbreak engulfed part of Alaba International Market in Lagos State on Tuesday evening, destroying goods and properties, though the total value of the losses has yet to be determined.

Footage shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed flames and thick smoke billowing from the furniture section of the market, situated near the Ojo Local Government Secretariat in Ojo Town.

Authorities and emergency responders rushed to the scene to contain the blaze, while traders expressed concerns over the impact on their businesses and called for support in recovering from the losses.

According to Ikechukwu Ude, the X user who posted the video, the fire reportedly started from “a little spark” before spreading rapidly through the rows of shops, causing panic among traders and shoppers.

In the video, traders were seen crying as the blaze consumed their goods, while others made frantic efforts to retrieve whatever they could before the flames intensified.

It was unclear whether operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service or other emergency responders had arrived at the scene at the time the video was recorded.

Eyewitnesses were heard calling for help and accusing market security of reacting too slowly.

The Alaba International Market, located along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, is one of West Africa’s largest hubs for electronics, furniture, and building materials, with thousands of traders from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

As of press time Tuesday night, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had not issued an official statement on the incident or confirmed the extent of damage.

Some social media users reacted to the video with dismay.