Traders in Bariga, Lagos, are counting their losses after a midnight fire swept through parts of the Bariga Market, destroying no fewer than 26 shops. The incident happened around 4:05 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the fire started in one shop and quickly spread to others because the key-clamp stalls were built with wooden partitions, making them highly flammable. By the time emergency responders arrived at 4:25 a.m., several shops were already engulfed.
Officials say the fire was eventually contained through joint efforts by LASEMA, firefighters, and other first responders, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the market. Unfortunately, properties worth millions of naira were lost. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Fire outbreaks have become disturbingly frequent in Lagos markets. In 2024 alone, at least 17 markets were reported to have gone up in flames, often due to poor structures, electrical surges, and negligence. This year alone, Ladipo, Owode Onirin, Mandilas, and Afriland Towers have all suffered fires— with Afriland claiming about 10 lives.
The Bariga disaster has once again raised questions about safety in Lagos markets, where closely built stalls and wooden structures make them extremely vulnerable to fires. For many affected traders, it’s another painful reminder that in a city like Lagos, one spark is all it takes to wipe out years of hard work.
