Fire Razes Oko-Baba Plank Market In Lagos

The popular Oko-Baba Plank Market situated on the Lagos lagoon close to the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos was on Sunday gutted by fire.

Goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the inferno that engulfed the timber market and parts of the shanties in the early hours of Sunday.

Spokesperson of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor confirmed the fire incident in a statement on Sunday.

He noted that the LRU Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service embarked on a search and rescue operation at Oko Baba plank market by Ibadan Street, Ebute Metta.

He said, “There was no loss of life and no injuries sustained. The Agency activated its Cobra Squad from the Onipanu Base and arrived at the incident scene at 1020hrs.

“Upon arrival at the scene, it was observed that a plank market and shanties spread on a large expanse of land was engulfed by fire.”

Okunbor, however, said that the cause and origin of the fire outbreak could not be ascertained at the time of reporting this incident.

He added that the fire had been completely extinguished as emergency responders had secured the entire area.

“The dampening down is in progress to prevent re-ignition,” with “occupants enlightened on the dangers, major causes, and ways of preventing fire outbreaks in market areas,” he said.