The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has admonished traders at Dosumu Market, Idumota, Lagos, to strengthen the security architecture of the market to ensure safety of their lives and properties.
The Lagos Territorial Coordinator, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, gave the advice in an interview with journalists at the scene of the fire incident on Wednesday in Lagos.
He said metal protectors used to secure the shops stood in the way of fire fighters in their attempt to put out the fire.
He noted that after the Mandilas fire incident, the agency and other critical stakeholders embarked on disaster risk reduction advocacy around major markets on Lagos Island.
He said the agency had appealed to the traders to contribute money to install water hydrants around the market in case of fire emergency, but they refused to comply.
He confirmed that the fire engulfed four buildings, adding that two of the buildings had already collapsed due to the impact of the inferno.
The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the service got wind of the incident at about 7:41 am and she immediately mobilised fire fighters to the scene.
Adeseye said the presence of an overwhelming crowd at the scene of the incident became a challenge for fire fighters in accessing the buildings.
She noted that another challenge was that two of the buildings were already engulfed by fire, adding that high tension electrical cables around the buildings made access cumbersome. (NAN)