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Two people, 5 vehicles, 5 motor bikes and 20 shops were burnt this morning as fire razed the popular Mile 12 market, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Fire was sited in the market around 4:42 a.m. with balls of fire ascending into the air disrupting the peace of residents.

It was gathered that some people who engaged in selling fuel and diesel in one of the shops in the market, may have caused the inferno as the fire started from that section.

Traders watched helplessly as their goods and shops worth millions of naira were destroyed by the fire.

Officials of the Lagos State Fire Service mobilised with several water tankers to fight the fire. Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, the police and others were on ground to combat the fire.

The inferno was put out around 8:40 a.m. after raging for about four hours.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe said illegal oil bunkering activities was being carried out in the market.

He said three tanks were discovered in the market, saying that the fire started from the place they were selling fuel.

General Manager, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that two dead bodies were brought out of the ruins of the market, saying five motor bikes were also burnt.

He added that six vehicles, including one car, three buses and two trucks were burnt in the inferno, adding that 20 shops were also consumed by the fire.

He said some unscrupulous persons were selling petro and diesel in a shop in the market, saying that the fire was put out at about 8:40am.‎
"The fire started at about 4:42am, it occurred at the oil and fuel section, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"LASEMA, Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency responders are on ground to salvage the situation. Five motor bikes, one car, three buses, two trucks and two burnt dead bodies, 20 shops were affected. Recovery operation is still in progress," Oke-Osanyintolu said.