The Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye Margaret, has revealed that goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire incident that occurred at Akere Spare Parts Market, Ajegunle in the Apapa area of Lagos State.

Margaret made this known in a statement on Wednesday, that the fire started at about 3:28 am, adding that the Ajegunle Fire Station was the first respondent.

Part of the statement read, “Upon arrival, it was discovered that rows of shops that traded in auto spare parts were well alight that led to Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Crews of the Agency joining up to subdued the raging Fire and salvage a nearby major market Petroleum Filling Station with a fully loaded 33,000 liters PMS tanker amongst other adjoining buildings.

“However, a male adult was recovered by the Tolu Police Division of the Nigerian Police around the scene while the Lagos Neighborhood and Safety Corps and the Red Cross were also in attendance.”

Adeseye added that the cause of the fire would require an investigation to account for the number of lockup shops and wares lost.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed to our correspondent that the deceased was shot dead.

He said, “A 65-year-old security guard in the market was shot dead. We have identified him and his corpse has been taken to the mortuary. An investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Command has commenced an investigation into suspected arson at the Akere Motor Spare Parts Market in the Apapa area of the state.

The police spokesman in the state, Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known in a statement, stressing that though the fire was put out around 3am, a 65-year-old security guard lost his life in the incident.

Hundeyin said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Idowu Owohunwa urged Lagosians to remain calm as the State Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to take over investigation towards unravelling the true circumstances surrounding the attack.

He equally called for restraints in giving any form of extraneous coloration to the incident, while assuring that the outcome of the investigation will be made public.