A massive fire outbreak on Wednesday evening threw traders and residents into panic after flames engulfed parts of the popular Tejuosho Modern Plaza in Yaba, Lagos State, destroying goods worth millions of naira and reigniting concerns over fire safety in major Nigerian markets.
The devastating blaze, which reportedly started in one section of the multi-storey commercial complex, quickly spread through several shops packed with textiles, clothing materials, and other valuable merchandise. Thick smoke billowed into the sky as terrified traders scrambled to salvage their goods while onlookers watched helplessly.
Videos circulating on social media captured chaotic scenes at the market, with desperate shop owners attempting to rescue goods before the fire consumed entire sections of the building. Witnesses at the scene accused emergency responders of arriving late and struggling to gain access to the affected areas.
One eyewitness lamented in a viral post, “This fire at Tejuosho, hope it is contained quickly. Fire service has arrived, and they don’t know how to get to the fire.”
Although no deaths have been officially confirmed as of press time, several people reportedly sustained minor injuries during the confusion and frantic rescue efforts.
Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the inferno, but early suspicions suggest a possible electrical fault — a recurring problem blamed for several market fires across Lagos.
The latest disaster adds to the long list of fire incidents recorded at Tejuosho Market in recent years. In April 2026, another fire outbreak destroyed textile shops in a three-storey building on Oyabiyi Street within the market area. Similar incidents were also reported in 2024 and 2022, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of existing fire prevention systems.
Traders and business owners have repeatedly called on the Lagos State Government to improve market infrastructure, strengthen fire safety enforcement, and ensure faster emergency response to prevent recurring tragedies.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had not released a detailed statement regarding the full extent of the damage or the progress of containment operations.
Many affected traders have now been left counting heavy financial losses as investigations into the incident begin.
More details, including official damage assessments, eyewitness testimonies, and reactions from Lagos authorities, are expected in the coming hours.
