By Olasunkanmi Akoni, LAGOS
Tragedy struck on Good Friday midnight, when an inferno wreaked havoc on popular Aluminium Village in Ifelodun Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, destroying property worth millions of naira.
Also, in the early hours of Saturday, fire gutted a three-storey commercial building on Oyabiyi Street, opposite the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, office, Tejuosho, Yaba.
On the Dopemu fire, eyewitnesses said the incident happened at about midnight. Shops were burnt to ashes.
As at press time the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained.
Meanwhile, men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency responders put the fire, preventing it from spreading to adjoining buildings.
Also, men of the Nigeria Police from Dopemu Division of the Lagos State Command were seen cordoning off the area to prevent looting and secondary incidents.
Controller General, Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed there was no record of loss of life as of press time.
Adeseye said the situation has been put under control while investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.
Meanwhile, affected traders rushed to the scene to salvage their wares, while others were seen counting their losses.
It is instructive to know that the Lagos Aluminum Village, located in Dopemu, Agege, is a a primary hub for purchasing aluminum products, glass, and mirrors at competitive, budget-friendly prices compared to retail stores.
It serves as a major market for both customised and ready-made metalwork.
The village, located specifically on Ifelodun and Ogeretedo Streets,in Dopemu, is highly specialized The village offers a wide range of aluminum accessories, including casement nylon, rollers, screws, hinges, and glazing rubbers.
Customers can purchase mirrors and aluminum profiles in specific sizes and shapes based on their requirements. The goods there are frequently found to be cheaper than those available on social media platforms or other online retailers.
The second incident occurred at 03:15 a.m., on Saturday, at Tejuosho, Yaba.
The building, which housed shops and stores containing stacked textile materials, was engulfed by fire.
Adeseye said firefighters from Somolu, Ilupeju, and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations were swiftly mobilised to the scene and successfully contained the blaze, preventing further spread to adjoining properties.
“In both incidents, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service demonstrated professionalism and rapid response, ensuring that the fires were brought under control without escalation and casualty,” the fire boss confirmed.
Adeseye reiterated the importance of fire safety precautions and urged members of the public to remain vigilant, especially in commercial areas where flammable materials are stored.
“Further investigations into the causes of the fires are ongoing to unravel their causes,” she stated.