Black Wednesday! Fire guts Lagos spare parts market, security guard killed

There was pandemonium on wednesday morning as goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire incident that occurred at Akere Spare Parts Market, Ajegunle in the Apapa area of Lagos State.

The lifeless body of a 65-year-old security guard was also said to have been recovered near the scene of the incident.

The Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye Margaret, in a statement confirmed that the fire started at about 3:28 am, noting that the Ajegunle Fire Station was the first respondent.

The statement partly read, “Upon arrival, it was discovered that rows of shops that traded in auto spare parts were well alight that led to Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Crews of the Agency joining up to subdued the raging Fire and salvage a nearby major market Petroleum Filling Station with a fully loaded 33,000 liters PMS tanker amongst other adjoining buildings.

“However, a male adult was recovered by the Tolu Police Division of the Nigerian Police around the scene while the Lagos Neighborhood and Safety Corps and the Red Cross were also in attendance.”

Adeseye added that the cause of the fire would require an investigation to account for the number of lockup shops and wares lost.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed to our correspondent that the deceased was shot dead.

He said, “A 65-year-old security guard in the market was shot dead. We have identified him and his corpse has been taken to the mortuary. An investigation is ongoing.”