A fire outbreak on Tuesday disrupted commercial activities at Arena Oshodi Market, one of the busiest trading centres in Lagos, Nigeria, sending traders and customers scrambling for safety.
Okay News reports that the blaze swept through several sections of the market, triggering panic as thick plumes of smoke and raging flames rose into the sky. Videos shared widely on social media captured desperate traders attempting to salvage goods while others hurriedly evacuated their shops.
Emergency responders, including firefighters from the Lagos State Fire Service, were quickly deployed to the scene. The officials were seen battling the inferno and working to prevent it from spreading to adjoining market structures and nearby properties.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly due to the dense layout of stalls and the presence of combustible materials commonly found in open markets. Trading activities around the affected areas were immediately halted as security personnel cordoned off sections of the market to allow firefighting operations.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of casualties.