Market fire disaster experience in Lagos State, Nigeria: The chronicle of traders

Abstract

Urban market fire disasters in recent times are becoming rampant, rendering many homeless and loss of livelihood. This study examines response and recovery measures to market fires in Lagos metropolis using market fire data from the Lagos State Fire Service and questionnaire from traders who are victims of fire disaster in the area. In this study, questionnaire was administered to two hundred and fifty market traders in twenty-five markets of sixteen local government area where fire disaster occurred. Interview was also conducted for market stakeholders and government officials. Findings from the analysis show that in a seven year period market fires have affected over 50 markets in Lagos metropolis. Traders reported that response to fire calls has been poor from emergency responders who, more often than not, arrive late and ill-equipped at fire scenes. Traders have also often been helpless resorting to crude and less effective means of firefighting like pouring water and detergent solution on the fire. It also shows that 68.6% of the market fires were caused by electrical faults. The Chi-square analysis revealed an observed difference in the recovery duration amongst markets affected with a chi-square coefficient of 0.000, in which biasness was observed in the distribution of relief materials amongst the different local government involved with a chi-square coefficient of 0.000. The study reveals that the rate and duration amongst markets affected varied with wealth of the traders and the type of wares sold. Some traders never returned after the incident. It also appears from the field study that markets in the affected areas were not designed or prepared to combat fire eventualities due to their inaccessibility to fire fighting vehicles. Some others were far from the available water hydrants and lacked enough fire extinguishers. The study concluded that Lagos market fire outbreaks are avoidable incidences. However, it would remain recurrent if the markets vulnerable are not restructured for safety. The researchers recommend that governments at all levels should strengthen the capacity and revitalise emergency management agencies towards urban market fire disaster preparedness and mitigation.