Panic spread across parts of Lagos in the early hours of Saturday after a fire outbreak engulfed a market in the Yaba area.
The blaze reportedly began around 3 a.m., affecting several shops, with eyewitnesses claiming that goods worth millions were destroyed.
Videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke and flames consuming sections of the market, as traders and residents rushed to salvage their belongings.
An eyewitness, identified as Lugar Feliz, said firefighters were already at the scene, noting that the incident occurred around the Popo section of the Yaba market.
Several users on X (formerly Twitter) also raised concerns about the fire.
One user, Clinically firm (@GAnorue17378), wrote, “BREAKING: Yaba Market on Fire since yesterday Night. Details later.”
Another, Obutexofficial (@Obutex7), posted, “Yaba on Fire, fire outbreak since 1 am.”
Similarly, Olamilekan Iyiola (@Olamilekan0932) described the situation as “a terrible fire outbreak in yaba right now.”
Reacting to the incident, Adeoluwa (@Okunlola_Jude) said, “Woke up to the news that yaba is burning, the shops just behind mine completely burnt to ground, billions gone like that.”
He also raised concerns about the emergency response, stating, “Fire service headquarters is just 10 mins walk from there, they could only bring a truck.”
Another user, Sullex Print and Branding (@SullexBranding), alleged that some responding fire trucks lacked water.
“Three fire service trucks and only one truck has water, fire outbreak currently at Ajibode street, Yaba,” the user wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and there has been no official statement from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service regarding the extent of the damage or possible casualties.
Efforts to contain the fire were still ongoing, with residents calling for improved emergency response to minimise further losses.