A devastating fire outbreak swept through Mandilas Market in Lagos Island in the early hours of Thursday, leaving destruction in its wake. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), no fewer than four buildings and about 200 shops were razed down, with millions of naira worth of goods lost to the inferno.
The incident, which broke out around midnight, reportedly started from an electrical surge before spreading rapidly to adjoining structures. Witnesses recounted how the flames engulfed the densely packed market within minutes, despite efforts from shop owners and passersby to contain it with buckets of water and fire extinguishers
NEMA officials, alongside men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, responded swiftly to the distress calls. Firefighters battled the raging flames for several hours before it was eventually brought under control. Confirming the incident, NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, stated that “the fire consumed four multi-storey buildings and about 200 shops. No life was lost, but the economic damage is colossal.”
He added that the agency is working with relevant authorities to assess the full extent of the losses and provide necessary assistance to affected traders.
For traders whose livelihoods depend on the bustling Mandilas Market famed for clothing, electronics, and household goods the fire is a crushing blow. Many lamented that they had stocked up their shops in preparation for the festive season sales.
“I just restocked goods worth over ₦15 million last week. Everything is gone,” cried a trader, who gave her name simply as Aisha. Another trader, Mr. Okeke, said: “We watched helplessly as our shops burnt. We have families to feed, children in school, and now, nothing left.”
The tragedy has once again raised questions about fire safety in Nigerian markets, where overcrowding, poor electrical connections, and lack of fire-fighting equipment are recurring issues. Market unions are calling on the Lagos State Government to urgently provide fire hydrants, enforce regular electrical inspections, and organize training for traders on emergency response.
A community leader in Lagos Island, Chief Fatai Balogun, stressed: “This is not the first time we are experiencing fire outbreaks in Mandilas. The government must do more, and traders themselves must take safety seriously.”
The Lagos State Government, through the Commissioner for Special Duties, assured affected traders of support. While visiting the site, he promised relief packages and pledged that investigations would be carried out to determine the root cause of the fire.
As bulldozers clear the charred remains of the destroyed shops, displaced traders face uncertain days ahead. For many, the incident is a painful reminder of how fragile their businesses are in the absence of proper insurance and preventive infrastructure.
The Mandilas Market fire stands as yet another urgent call for collaboration between government, emergency agencies, and traders to prioritize safety in Nigeria’s major markets before history repeats itself again.
