Fire guts Balogun Market, sawmill, houses in Lagos

Tragedy struck in Lagos State on Sunday and Monday as multiple fire incidents occurred in different parts of the state, taking a life and destroying property. The fire razed Balogun Market on the Lagos Island, Oko Baba Sawmill in Ebute Meta and four houses in the Igando area of the state. A pensioner, identified simply as Baba Bende lost his life in the Ebute Meta incident, while property estimated at billions of naira was destroyed in the incidents. It was said the Oko Baba Sawmill fire began around 9pm on Sunday and was put off around 3am on Monday. An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the father of one died while trying to save his pension files. He said, “Baba Bende wanted to take his pension files, and that was how the fire engulfed him in the house.” PUNCH Metro observed that shanties constructed around the sawmill were razed to the ground. continued read also