The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, said the Dosunmu market fire was caused by the recklessness of some traders in the market who did not adhere to the measures given to them by the state.

The governor stated this while he received the leadership of the National Emergency Management Agency led by its newly appointed Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, and her team at the Lagos House in Marina.

No fewer than 14 multi-storey buildings and assets worth millions were destroyed in a fire that ravaged Docemo Market on Lagos Island, on Tuesday.

While commending the first responders at the state and federal levels, Sanwo-Olu noted that 120 tanks of water were used up before the inferno was brought under control.

He said, “Before the unfortunate fire incident, we had conducted sensitisation and held extensive advocacy for traders on the need to refrain from acts that could potentially endanger their lives and their trading environment.

“We are utterly disappointed because we believe the incident could be avoided. Some traders in the market were completely reckless and inconsiderate. There have been disagreements among the traders as to the cause of the fire, with some of them linking it to sabotage and others saying leadership tussle.

“But that did not take away the fact that they were completely irresponsible in endangering their assets and those of others in the market. Our response to this laxity will be very decisive in the coming days and we will ensure the reckless tendency of the traders is curtailed.”

Sanwo-Olu added that the state government had commenced enumeration of the razed area to ascertain the loss of the traders, and to support them back on their feet.

Also speaking, Umar promised that NEMA would raise the level of its awareness and sensitisation on power utilisation in closely built markets to minimise the risk of fire and mitigate emergencies.