Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos Island was thrown into chaos on Tuesday night as two major fires ripped through commercial buildings just hours apart, destroying property worth millions of naira and leaving traders in despair.
The first blaze struck Afriland Tower in the evening, followed shortly after by an inferno at Central Plaza on Broad Street, one of the city’s busiest shopping complexes.
According to witnesses, the Central Plaza fire began around 7:40 pm, spreading rapidly through the multi-storey building and collapsing parts of the structure. Emergency responders battled through thick smoke to rescue those trapped inside.
“It’s heartbreaking. Everything I worked for is gone in one night,” said one distraught shop owner, tears rolling down her cheeks. Another trader, coughing from smoke, added: “I rushed back inside to save my goods, but the fire was too much. I could only grab a few things.”
Several traders made desperate attempts to retrieve their belongings before flames consumed their shops.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) confirmed that while casualty figures remain unclear, significant losses have been recorded.
Deputy Controller General Olajide Ogabi, in a statement shared on the agency’s X handle, said firefighting teams had been deployed swiftly to bring both incidents under control.
The twin infernos, striking the same commercial hub within hours, have left residents and business owners shaken. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of both fires.
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