Traders at the popular Army Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos, were thrown into panic on Tuesday evening after a fire outbreak tore through sections of the bustling commercial hub, destroying goods and disrupting business activities.
The fire reportedly broke out at about 6 pm, catching traders off guard at a time when many were still attending to customers. Eyewitness videos shared on X, formerly Twitter, showed thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as traders frantically struggled to salvage whatever goods they could from their shops.
In several of the clips, traders could be heard shouting for help while flames spread rapidly across parts of the market. Other footage captured the arrival of firefighters, who battled the inferno in an effort to contain the blaze and prevent it from engulfing the entire complex.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not released official information on possible casualties or the estimated value of goods destroyed in the fire. The cause of the outbreak also remained unclear, with emergency agencies yet to issue a formal statement.
The latest incident has revived concerns over fire safety in Lagos markets, coming barely a week after a similar disaster at Balogun Market on Lagos Island. That fire, which occurred on Christmas Eve, reportedly started at the Great Nigeria Insurance building on Martins Street before spreading to at least five adjoining structures.
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Arena Market itself has suffered repeated fire incidents in recent times. In August 2025, a previous blaze swept through parts of the market, resulting in heavy losses for traders. While that incident was officially linked to a power surge, some traders disputed the explanation, raising questions about electrical safety and emergency preparedness within the market.
Tuesday’s fire has once again left traders counting their losses and calling for urgent intervention by the Lagos State Government to strengthen fire prevention measures, improve emergency response and safeguard livelihoods in one of the city’s busiest trading centres.
