By Nurudeen Adebayo
A devastating fire swept through the Oko-Baba plank market in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on Sunday, destroying goods worth millions of naira. The sprawling timber market, located on the Lagos lagoon near the Third Mainland Bridge, was engulfed in flames, razing large portions of the market and adjacent shanties.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement. According to Nosa Okunbor, spokesperson for the agency, distress calls were received around 10 a.m., prompting the immediate dispatch of LASEMA’s Cobra Squad from the Onipanu base. Emergency responders arrived at the scene at approximately 11:20 a.m.
“The fire consumed the main plank market and a significant portion of the surrounding shanties. Goods worth millions were destroyed, but fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported,” Okunbor stated.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, LASEMA officials were able to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. The fire was eventually brought under control, minimizing further damage.
This is not the first time the Oko-Baba timber market has been hit by such a disaster. The market has experienced multiple fire outbreaks in the past, with major incidents occurring in 2015, 2021, and January 2022. In light of these recurring incidents, the Lagos State Government has been working on relocating the sawmillers to a more permanent and secure site.
The government has explained that the relocation plan is aimed at protecting the environment and providing a safer, more conducive location for the timber business. Despite these plans, the market continues to face fire risks, raising concerns among traders and local residents.
Efforts are underway to investigate the cause of the latest fire and assess the full extent of the damage.
