Panic gripped parts of Yaba in the early hours of Saturday as a fire outbreak engulfed shops at a popular market in the area, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The incident reportedly started around 3 a.m., with thick smoke and flames seen rising from the market. Videos shared on social media showed traders and residents scrambling to salvage belongings as the blaze spread.
An eyewitness on TikTok, identified as Lugar Feliz, said firefighters were already at the scene, adding that the incident occurred around the Popo section of the market.
Several users on X raised alarms over the response efforts. One user, Adeoluwa (@Okunlola_Jude), wrote, “Woke up to the news that yaba is burning, the shops just behind mine completely burnt to ground, billions gone like that.”
He also alleged challenges with emergency response, saying, “Fire service headquarters is just 10 mins walk from there, they could only bring a truck.”
Another user, Sullex Print and Branding (@SullexBranding), claimed that some of the responding fire trucks lacked water. “Three fire service trucks and only one truck has water, fire outbreak currently at Ajibode street, Yaba,” the user posted.
Other X users, including @GAnorue17378 and @Obutex7, confirmed the incident, with one describing it as “a terrible fire outbreak in yaba right now.”
As of the time of this report, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, and there was no official statement from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service on the extent of damage or possible casualties. Efforts to contain the blaze were ongoing as residents called for improved emergency response to prevent further losses.
