An early morning fire outbreak has destroyed no fewer than 48 shops at the Elegushi Model Market complex in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, LASEMA received a distress alert at about 2:00 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of emergency response teams to the scene.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that upon arrival, responders met the market already engulfed in flames, but swift and coordinated efforts by emergency personnel helped to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

He explained that preliminary findings by LASEMA’s Shark Response Team revealed that the fire originated from one of the makeshift stalls within the market complex before escalating to the main building.

“The fire started from one of the makeshift stalls within the market compound and rapidly spread to the main structure. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined,” he said.

The LASEMA boss added that no casualties or injuries were recorded in the incident, attributing this to the early hour of the outbreak and the prompt response of emergency agencies.

He noted that a post-disaster assessment conducted by the agency confirmed that a total of 48 shops were affected by the inferno.

Oke-Osanyintolu also used the opportunity to stress the need for improved fire safety consciousness among market traders.

“Traders were sensitised on basic fire safety measures, while the market union was advised to strategically position fire extinguishers to enable quick response to minor incidents before they escalate,” he said.

He further urged shop owners to install smoke detectors and fire alarm systems and to remain vigilant at all times to prevent future occurrences.

Fire outbreaks are common in many parts of Nigeria, particularly during the dry season, with concerns often raised over the limited capacity of firefighting agencies in several states to effectively combat major infernos.