Fire Razes Lagos Bridge, Destroys Many Shops

Several shops around Apogbon Bridge, Ebute Ero, Lagos, have been reportedly destroyed after fire gutted the bridge in the early hours of Wednesday.

The fire, which started around 1am, has led to gridlock on the axis and affected commercial activities as emergency officials battle to put it out.

The head Lagos Territorial Office of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the Federal Ministry of Works had been called upon to close the bridge and carryout integrity tests to determine the safety of the bridge for further usage.

He added, “A lot of shops have been destroyed. The location is Ebutte Ero. The shops consumed are basically selling baking materials. NEMA received a distressed alert at 0600 and Federal and State Fire Service men were deployed. The cause of the fire cannot be immediately ascertained.”

Farinloye urged motorists to take alternative routes.

He said, “Movements from Ikorodu Road, take detour via jibowu to connect Yaba and through to Oyingbo or Adekunle, from there to Adeniji and Adeniji to Ebutte Ero or continue movements toward CMS or inner Marina.

“Second route for those going to Ijora, Constain or inner part of Surulere, they can continue througg the crawling movement to connect Eko bridge take a detour to Ijora and continue journey to Apapa or towards Leventis, UBA roundabout connect Marina Marina