A major fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday at Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, consuming a commercial building and destroying goods valued at millions of naira. The incident, which happened around 1:55 a.m. on Somoye Osundairo Street, affected a one-storey structure used mainly by dealers in computers, accessories, and related electronic equipment. 

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that distress calls were received via the state’s toll-free emergency lines and immediately triggered the state’s emergency response plan. Responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA teams, LASAMBUS, and the Nigeria Police Force, arrived at the scene around 2:15 a.m., finding the building fully engulfed in flames with thick smoke indicating intense combustion. 

According to LASEMA’s preliminary report, the high volume of combustible materials stored in the building such as computers, printers, laptops, and other electronic devices, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The entire upper floor was completely razed, and all goods and properties stored within were destroyed. 

Emergency Response and Aftermath

While the fire caused extensive property damage, LASEMA confirmed that no fatalities were recorded. However, one firefighter from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service sustained minor injuries while battling the blaze. The injured responder was treated on-site by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service. 

Emergency operations included a coordinated effort to cordon off the affected area, conduct a risk assessment, and implement safety measures to prevent the inferno from spreading to neighbouring buildings in the densely packed commercial district. Authorities say they successfully contained the fire, limiting further destruction despite the rapid escalation caused by the presence of highly flammable electronics. 

Officials also carried out damping-down procedures to eliminate residual heat and prevent a secondary outbreak as rescue and recovery efforts concluded. LASEMA has since recommended a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the fire, a comprehensive structural assessment of the damaged building, and a review of fire safety and storage practices within the market. 

The blaze has reignited concerns about fire safety at Computer Village, one of West Africa’s largest technology and electronics markets. Social media users and traders expressed shock and lamented the loss of merchandise, with many calling for stronger enforcement of safety measures and regular inspections in commercial hubs where combustible materials are stored in close proximity.

Some traders were seen at the scene on Tuesday morning assessing their losses and expressing frustration over the incident. “We came here early to check the remains of our shop and count the losses,” one dealer said, noting that many businesses in the building relied on electronics inventory that is now completely gone.

Past fire incidents at Computer Village and other markets have raised similar concerns, highlighting recurring vulnerabilities in informal commercial districts where safety compliance can be inconsistent. 

As of the latest update, investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, and authorities have urged operators and traders to adhere strictly to fire safety protocols. A structural integrity assessment of the building has also been recommended to determine its stability and safety before any potential future use.