The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that all the traders and residents affected in the fire incident that occurred at the wooden section of Tejuosho Market in Lagos State, have been displaced and currently have no access to food, shelter and livelihoods.
According to the agency, about 300 shops were lost, while 120 traders were affected in the fire incident that occurred on Wednesday.
In a statement on Friday, the agency said it conducted a post-disaster assessment on Thursday, at the market.
NEMA listed items destroyed in the fire incident to include; industrial sewing machines,kitchen utensils, wares, tailoring materials, assorted drinks and plumbing materials.
“A Post-disaster assessment was conducted today 30th May, 2024 following an outbreak of fire at a wooden section of tejuosho market which occurred on Wednesday 29th May, 2024. The impact of the inferno led to complete destruction of property, shops and residential make-shift structure within the market,” the agency said.
“Some of the items destroyed by the fire include; industrial sewing machines,kitchen utensils, wares, tailoring materials, assorted drinks and plumbing materials. The swift response of emergency agencies such as Federal and State Fire Services was significant in curtailing the fire. Consequently, no life was lost and no injury sustained.
“Currently, all the traders and residences in the market have been displaced and have no access to food, shelter and livelihoods. In all, about 300 shops were lost to the inferno with estimated 120 traders impacted by the fire incident,” NEMA stated.
The fire was caused by gas explosion. It was gathered that one of those living in the area had left food unattended on a gas cooker, which resulted in the fire.
The fire quickly spread to other shanties, causing residents to scamper for safety.
The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, who confirmed the incident to THE WHISTLER on Wednesday, said emergency responders were able to put the fire under control and stopped it from spreading to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Channel 10 and Oba Tejuosho House.
“The affected place were shanty structures that were attached to Oba Tejuosho House,” Adeseye told THE WHISTLER.
According to her, there was no record of casualty.
THE WHISTLER early this month reported how nine people, including a pregnant woman, suffered varying degrees of burn injuries, occasioned by a gas explosion in the Ajegunle area of Lagos.
At least four commercial tricycles, six lock-up shops, and a section of a residential bungalow were affected in the Incident.
The explosion caused by gas leakage, ignited a high-tension cable, leading to a fire outbreak.
LAGOS: Traders, Residents Affected In Tejuosho Fire Incident Displaced, Lack Access To Food — NEMA is first published on The Whistler Newspaper