A devastating fire swept through sections of the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos on Tuesday evening, destroying several shops and leaving traders in anguish as millions of naira worth of goods went up in flames.
Videos streamed live on TikTok by user KB Clothings showed thick black smoke rising above the sprawling market complex as panic-stricken traders watched helplessly. Some wept uncontrollably over their losses, while others made desperate attempts to retrieve goods from nearby stalls before the fire spread further.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service swiftly arrived at the scene and battled to contain the blaze, but the inferno continued to rage late into the night.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started from one of the locked warehouses before spreading rapidly to adjoining rows of shops. Many traders blamed the scale of the destruction on what they described as a delayed response from market security and emergency responders.
Located along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, Alaba International Market is one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial hubs, renowned for its thriving trade in electronics, household appliances, and building materials.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire remained unknown, while officials continued efforts to bring the situation under control.