By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the governorship election in Lagos State, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Viviour, has visited the scene of the early morning fire at the Akere Spare Parts Market.
The inferno destroyed many shops at the market worth millions of Naira.
A statement by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye Margaret, disclosed that one person was confirmed dead in the incident.
“At about 03:28 Wednesday wee hours, a Fire outbreak was alerted to Akere Spare Parts Market, Kirikiri Road, Akere Bus Stop, Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos that saw the Ajegunle Fire Station of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service as the first respondent.
“Upon arrival, it was discovered that rows of shops that traded in auto spare parts were well alight, led to Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Crews of the Agency joining up to subdue the raging Fire and salvage a nearby major market Petroleum Filling Station with a fully loaded 33,000 litres PMS tanker amongst other adjoining buildings.
“However, a male adult was recovered by the Tolu Police Division of the Nigerian Police around the scene while the Lagos Neighborhood and Safety Corps and the Red Cross were also in attendance.
“The cause of the fire will require details investigation to ascertained as well as post-incident enumeration to account for the number of lockup shops and wares lost,” the statement said.
But reacting to the fire incident, Mr Rhodes-Viviour insinuated that the fire was triggered by arsonists.
“I am on the ground in Akere Market, Ifelodun, to assess the damage done by a fire allegedly set by an arsonist & political thugs.
“This is most unfortunate. Our politics should be about ideas, not violence.
“Ajegunle people, do not be intimidated. We will rebuild together.
“Lagos is built on harmony and cooperation, it is the centre of excellence, despicable violence & fanning the flames of ethnic tension has no place in this beautiful state.
“We all have to live together in Lagos after the elections. No political ambition is worth the lives or livelihood of our people.
“No place should be threatened or destroyed for having differing political choices. It breaks my heart to see this happen in Lagos, it must end,” he said.
