A fire broke out at the Elegushi Model Market complex in the Lekki area of Lagos State early Sunday morning, destroying at least 48 shops. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu. 

According to LASEMA, an emergency distress call was received around 2:00 a.m., which prompted the immediate deployment of response teams to the scene. Upon arrival, emergency officials found the market complex fully engulfed in flames. 

Firefighters and emergency responders quickly worked to contain the fire and successfully prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings. Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire originated from a makeshift stall within the market before rapidly spreading to the main structure. As of now, the exact cause of the fire has not been determined.

Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries reported during the incident. "Preliminary investigations conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the makeshift stalls within the compound of the market and quickly escalated to the main building," he said. He also noted that the combined efforts of emergency agencies and other stakeholders were crucial in extinguishing the blaze.

Following a post-disaster assessment, LASEMA confirmed that 48 shops were affected, leading to significant material losses for the traders. In response, LASEMA advised market leaders and traders to take proactive measures to prevent future fire incidents. The agency recommended the installation of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms in strategic locations throughout the market.

"Market union executives were advised to place fire extinguishers in key areas to help control minor fires before they escalate," Oke-Osanyintolu stated. He also urged traders to adopt safer practices and remain vigilant, emphasizing that market fires are a recurring issue in Lagos, often linked to overcrowding, poor electrical connections, and inadequate fire safety measures.