A massive fire on Tuesday evening destroyed several shops at the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos, leaving traders in tears and confusion. The incident, which started suddenly, spread quickly across parts of the market, consuming goods worth millions of naira.
A live TikTok video by a user known as KB Clothings captured the heartbreaking scene — thick black smoke rising into the sky as helpless traders watched their investments go up in flames. Many were seen weeping openly, while others made desperate attempts to rescue their goods before the fire got worse.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started from one of the locked warehouses and later spread to nearby shops filled with electronic goods and household items. Some traders accused market security of responding too slowly, claiming that the situation could have been controlled earlier if immediate action had been taken.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the distress call. They battled hard to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to other sections of the market.
By the time the fire was brought under control, dozens of shops had already been destroyed, leaving many traders with nothing to show for years of hard work. Some traders said they lost everything they had, while others called on the Lagos State government to provide assistance and improve fire safety measures in the market.
As of the time of this report, the cause of the fire had not been confirmed, though officials are investigating possible electrical faults or careless handling of flammable materials.
The Alaba International Market, located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, is one of West Africa’s largest electronics markets.
The incident has once again raised concerns over poor safety standards and emergency preparedness in crowded commercial centres across Lagos State.