Fire has gutted the popular Ajao market in Ajao area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the incident started around 1am on Wednesday.

Although the cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, our correspondent learnt that the inferno started around a shopping mall close to the market and had extended into the main Ajao market.

Properties worth millions of naira were said to have been destroyed as the fire had affected some adjoining buildings and made residents flee for safety.

Emergency responders, including Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire Service, and men of Nigeria Police Force are on ground to manage the situation.

LASEMA spokesperson, Mr Nosa Okunbor, while confirming the incident, said no casualty was yet to be recorded.

He said, “There is a fire outbreak there. It started around 1am but we are there already. From all indications, the Ajao Main Market has a small shopping mall and from what we gathered, the fire started from the shopping mall and extended to the main market and affected some adjoining buildings.

“But LASEMA Response Team and other stakeholders, including  Lagos State Fire Service and the police are already on ground to quell the fire. No casualty has been recorded for now.”

Punch