Two Dead, Others Injured as Fire Razes Mile 12 Market

The fire which started at the section of the large market where diesel products are sold, razed properties and goods worth millions of naira.

The fire which started at about 5am, destroyed over 40 stalls and lock-up shops , four cars, two trucks and five motorcycles.

Although the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained,  Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) General Manager, Mr. Femi Okei-Osanyintolu, said the diesel products were stored in the shops.

Finally, after hours of battling the flames, the fire was put out at about 8.40pm.
Immediately the fire started, emergency responders like the police, state and fire services as well as LASEMA officials were deployed there.

The Lagos State Fire Service Director, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, said the fire might have been caused by the illegal oil bunkering activities being carried out in the market.

However, conflicting reports alleged that the fire was caused by power surge when electricity was restored to the area that morning.
But according to eyewitness account, the fire had ignited after the diesel product came in contact with open fire used in cooking.

They said the illegal trade in diesel products had been in existence for a long time, with the owners carting in the products on tankers.
Their claims were buttressed by the charred remains of the oil tankers, as well jerry cans, with which they dispensed the illegal products to buyers.

As at press time, the corpses had since been removed and deposited at the nearest morgue, pending the outcome of investigations, while the injured were taken  to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital in Ikeja.