Alaba Market Inferno: Traders Count Losses as Fire Sweeps Through Shops

A massive fire broke out on Tuesday evening at the Alaba International Market in Lagos, destroying several shops and leaving traders in shock and despair.

Videos from a live TikTok broadcast by user *KB Clothings* showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing over the market, as traders scrambled to save what they could from the spreading flames. Many could be seen crying over their losses while others made frantic efforts to salvage goods from nearby shops.

Officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service quickly mobilized to the scene and worked to bring the inferno under control. Despite their efforts, eyewitnesses reported that multiple locked shops and warehouses were consumed by the blaze.

Some traders alleged that market security personnel were slow to respond when the fire first broke out, a delay they believe worsened the extent of the damage.

As of press time, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, and authorities were assessing the scale of destruction. The Alaba International Market, one of Nigeria’s largest electronics and household goods hubs, has witnessed several fire incidents in recent years—raising renewed concerns about safety measures and emergency preparedness in Lagos markets.