25 families homeless as fire razes buildings, supermarket in Lagos

LAGOS—NO fewer than 25 families were rendered homeless yesterday, following a fire outbreak that engulfed three buildings in Lagos.

The popular Ebano Supermarket in the highbrow Lekki metropolis, some shops and the popular Idumota Market, are among the affected structures.

Two of the affected buildings were located in the densely-populated Ajegunle area of Lagos, one of which was the palace of the Baale (traditional ruler).

However, no life was reportedly lost in any of the incidents. But properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The Ajegunle inferno was said to have been caused by petroleum products stored in one of the buildings by a black market dealer. Some occupants of the affected buildings sustained varying degrees of injuries during the ensuing stampede.

Reports said an explosion occurred at 1, Freedom Street, at about 10.30a.m., while a welder, simply identified as Israel, was constructing an iron cage for the storage of petroleum products.

Efforts to contain the fire failed as it reportedly engulfed the entire building and spread to 171, Orodu Street.