Disaster struck in Abule-Egba area of Lagos on Wednesday, as 73 shops, 45 vehicles and three residential buildings were burnt in a pipeline fire allegedly caused by vandalism.
Edgal Imohimi, Lagos Commissioner of Police (CP), who confirmed the incident blamed it on the unwillingness of the public to volunteer information, saying if the police had been aware of vandal activities in the disaster might have been averted.
But residents of the area accused the police of being aware of the vandalism, alleging that the police have always shielded the vandals.
According to the residents, the police raided the community the previous day (Tuesday) at about 10pm, forcing traders to leave the streets.
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BusinessDay gathered that the vandals destroyed the pipelines, scooped fuel but could not seal back the lid, allowing the fuel to spill continuously into the drainages, which then spread to Oko-Oba Abattoir and other areas within that axis.
According to eye witnesses, the fire was ignited at about 3:00 am from the content that spilled to the abattoir axis after some traders dropped used charcoal into the drainage.
The raging fire caused hundreds of residents in the community to flee their homes.
No fewer than four vehicles and 12 shops were burnt on Arowolo Street while on Shobowale Street, three buildings, 11 shops and three vehicles were razed. Also, on Wamontaofeek Street, one building was completely burnt and 11 cars parked at mechanic workshops and at entrance of the owners were razed by the inferno while on Adepegba Street, six shops were completely razed. Affected traders have called for the intervention of the state government to enable them restart their lives.
