Amanze Chinonye
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that a fire outbreak at Mandilas Market on Lagos Island destroyed about 200 shops and left one person injured.
The blaze, which erupted around 7:00 p.m. on September 16, 2025, was traced to a faulty changeover switch in one of the buildings and raged through the night before being fully extinguished in the early hours of September 17.
According to NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office, the fire spread rapidly because of the large quantity of highly flammable materials including clothing, footwear, and plastics stored in the market.
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Emergency teams from the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) worked alongside other responders to contain the flames, while the Nigeria Police Force secured the area to prevent looting as firefighting operations continued.
One person suffered smoke inhalation and is receiving medical treatment. NEMA said it is liaising with market stakeholders to support affected traders and to “strengthen safety awareness in highly congested business districts.”
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A Troubling Pattern of Market Fires
The Mandilas fire is the latest in a string of destructive market blazes across Lagos in recent years:
- January 2024 – Mandilas Building Fire: NEMA reported that 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels, five restaurants, and about 6,700 traders were affected when a similar fire ripped through the same Broad Street complex.
- November 2024 – Idumota Spare-Parts Market: A massive fire razed several shops at the “Under Bridge” section of Idumota Market, causing losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of naira.
- October 2022 – Balogun Market, Martins Street: Flames gutted top-floor shops packed with clothing materials. Balogun Market has recorded multiple fires since 2019, underscoring chronic safety lapses.
These recurring fires highlight deep structural weaknesses in Lagos’ commercial hubs. From faulty electrical wiring to congested layouts that delay emergency response, the city’s markets remain vulnerable despite repeated warnings. Each incident wipes out billions of naira in goods, disrupts livelihoods, and deepens economic hardship for thousands of traders many of whom operate without insurance.
Analysts warn that unless safety codes are enforced, regular inspections conducted, and fire-prevention education prioritized, Lagos risks a cycle of destruction that undermines small businesses and erodes investor confidence in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
As NEMA continues to coordinate relief for affected traders, experts say the latest Mandilas disaster must serve as a wake-up call for market authorities, building owners, and government regulators to finally implement long-promised reforms that can break the pattern of preventable market fires.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
