Fire outbreaks that destroyed livelihoods in January 2021

In the month of January, the country has been hit with several market fire outbreaks costing loss of properties.

These disasters which ravaged properties left many people stranded with little or no help.

Mynigeria.com takes a look into the fire outbreaks that have razed down stores and houses in the month of January, 2021.

Apapa-Oshodi expressway fire outbreak (January 7, 2021)

A fire broke out around the DHL office along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos.

The fire was reportedly caused by a fuel tanker. The fire affected some warehouses spotted close to the incident.

This was confirmed by a video that was shared on various social media platforms.

Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, and other relevant agencies, managed the inferno.

Motorcycle manufacturing factory in Nnewi (January 9, 2021)

On Saturday night fire gutted Louis Carter Industries Nigeria Limited, a multi-million naira motorcycle spare parts and allied products manufacturing company factory, based in Akaboukwu Uruagu Nnewi, Anambra State.

The company, owned by Nnewi industrialist and businessman, Chief Louis Onwugbenu, manufactures the Louis Carter brand of motorcycles, which is widely used in the South-eastern part of Nigeria and the South-south.

The fire outbreak, a company source said, started 10:00pm on Saturday, and raged for about six hours despite attempts by men of the Anambra State fire service to put it out.

Surulere fire

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), indicated that a building in Surulere, Lagos housing gutted by fire was caused by a faulty cooking gas valve that exploded.

Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA's Director-General, revealed on Sunday, January 17, that no life was lost in the blaze owing to the quick appearance of the agency as first responders.

“The bungalow property comprised nine rooms, including 12 shops was extensive damage. The agency worked alongside the Lagos State Fire Service to extinguish the fire and the operation was concluded in just under two hours on Saturday.

Sokoto Central Market Fire (January 19, 2021)

On Tuesday morning, fire destroyed parts of Shehu Shagari Modern Market in Sokoto, popularly known as New Market.

Reports indicates that the inferno started around 6 a.m. and continued to ravage shops at the market till midday, as some yet to be affected traders trooped to evacuate their goods before the raging fire reached their shops.

As at midday, the combined team of Sokoto State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) battled to put out the fire.

70 shops razed in Lagos market

Some traders in Alade Market, Somolu, Lagos have been left stranded after fire destroyed no fewer than 70 lock-up shops.

Reports suggest that the incident occurred at about 1.05 am as a result of a power surge in the market.

This fire outbreak occurred barely ten days after some shops were razed at Ijesha market at Surulere, Lagos State, according to Vanguard News.

The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu who confirmed the development to Vanguard said the agency’s firefighters alongside the Lagos State and federal fire services were mobilized to the scene to fight the fire as thorough damping down exercise was carried out.