Fire razes Lagos plank market, houses

An evening inferno, which started in  a plank market in Alapere area of Ketu in Lagos on Thursday, razed unspecified number of houses in the area.

Although the cause of the fire could not be ascertained as at press time, it was learnt that the fire began at about 9pm.

The fire was said to have emanated from the plank market situated beside a canal on Demurin Street.

An eyewitness, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone, said  some residents might have been killed by the rampaging inferno.

He said, “The fire has destroyed over four houses already and it is still spreading. The fire service brought three tankers of water but the water has been exhausted and the fire has still not been put out.

“The fire started late at night when many people had already retired to their rooms and many might have been trapped in their houses by the fire.”

Spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said the cause of the fire was yet unknown but added that Divisional Police Officers within the area were at the scene to assist in putting out the fire and maintaining order.

PUNCH