Traders and residents of Yaba, Lagos, were thrown into chaos early Saturday morning as a massive fire engulfed a section of the popular local market.
The blaze reportedly started around 3 a.m., destroying several shops and goods, while eyewitnesses said flames and thick smoke spread rapidly across the area.
Social media posts and videos captured the scene, showing traders frantically attempting to salvage their belongings.
In a TikTok livestream monitored by PUNCH Online, eyewitness Lugar Feliz reported that firefighters had arrived at the scene, pinpointing the fire’s origin to the Popo section of the market.
Some residents criticized the emergency response, noting delays despite the proximity of the Fire Service headquarters.
Trader Adeoluwa Jude lamented the losses, tweeting, “Woke up to the news that Yaba is burning.
Shops just behind mine completely burnt to the ground—billions gone in minutes.”
Others highlighted logistical challenges. Sullex Print and Branding reported on Twitter that out of three fire trucks deployed, only one had water to fight the flames, as the fire spread to Ajibode Street in Yaba.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has yet to release an official statement regarding the extent of the damage or possible casualties.
Efforts to contain the inferno are ongoing, while residents have urged authorities to strengthen emergency response measures to prevent further destruction.