Juliana Francis
One person has been confirmed dead and seven others injured as fire breaks out again in the Balogun Market, this time affecting a plaza that has 580 shops, including Union Bank.
Also, four persons were arrested for the looting of wares amid the confusion.
According to eyewitnesses in the market, the fire started at about 1:am and the source is yet unknown.
The fire is said to have started from the topmost floor of a five-storey building.
Firefighters are already at the scene, trying to curtail it from spreading further.
It was further gathered that the plaza is located at Balogun Street. The affected building, from the pent floor, is said to be used as a store, down to the 4th and 5th floors, and they had all started showing signs of falling due to the intense heat of the fire.
The Zonal coordinator of the South-West, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye said: “The fire also affected three Storey buildings beside the five Storey building. The three Storey building was completely burnt down. The third, fourth and fifth floors of the five Storey building including the Pent floor were affected. Another third Storey building was consumed outrightly, and 350 shops are located in the five Storey building under fire. The block walk part of the five Storey building has collapsed, leaving only the metal part standing.
