Eye witnesses reports that the fire broke out around 9 am, when a small boy ignited a firecracker popularly known as ‘knockout,’ which hit some of the stocks of unsold fireworks in a building located at Oko Awo, around Jankara market in Lagos Island.
Within minutes of the explosion, the fire spread to a nearby building, sending hundreds of residents, traders and shoppers fleeing for their lives. The raging fire aided by the harmattan wind continued to spread, consuming at least 8 storey buildings and 10 cars in its way.
As at press time, no death was recorded but over 30 people were injured.
“Banger” as it is popularly called and fireworks are very popular during Christmas festivities despite the effort of the Government to ban the use of these mild explosives.
