NEMA: 450 Shops, 6,700 Traders Affected by Mandilas Fire in Lagos

Sunday Ehigiator

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that no fewer than 450 shops, 6,700 traders, 30 offices, two hotels and five restaurants were affected by the fire incident which gutted Mandilas building in Lagos last Sunday.

In a statement issued by NEMA, it appealed to Nigerians to be safety conscious in their activities to protect their lives and property.

The agency made the appeal while assessing the impacts of the last Sunday fire disaster that occurred at the 16th-floor of old Mandilas building.

According to the Iya Oja of Atunwase International Market Mandilas General, Alhaja Adeniji Rashidat, who briefed the assessors, “The impacted building is estimated to accommodate about 6,700 traders, 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels, and five restaurants

“The fire, which started at about 00:11 hours, began on the first floor where an alleged electric wielding activity was going on. It was alleged that the people around did not notice the fire until it was too late before the fire service was contacted.

“The fire also spread to surrounding market stalls at Atunwase International Market with equal extensive damage as the main complex.

“However, officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission and Building Control Agency were on the ground to assess the integrity of all buildings at the scene. All structures have been locked down to prevent access to the shop for the safety of traders and the public.

“Other agencies on the ground that day included the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos Fire services, Red Cross, Nigeria Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Lagos Island Local Government Sanitation, and Lagos State Business District, which are still currently making efforts to ease the suffering of the traders.”