Several traders trapped after Lagos market fire destroys plaza
A fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance House in Balogun Market has left several traders, including Obum, trapped under rubble. The blaze gutted the high-rise commercial building, destroying goods worth millions and causing part of the structure to collapse. Many traders are grieving their losses, with some still hoping for the rescue of those trapped. Emergency services faced challenges due to poor access and crowd control.
What happened
- Obum, a China-based trader, and at least three others remain trapped after part of the plaza collapsed during the fire.
- The fire started on the fourth floor and spread rapidly, severely damaging the 22-storey building and nearby structures.
- Traders like Ngozi Chukwu and Francis lost goods worth millions, with some unable to save any stock.
- Emergency responders rescued 10 people alive and treated several others for burns and smoke inhalation.
- Poor storage practices, crowd control issues, and blocked access routes hampered firefighting and rescue efforts.
