National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has directed alternative routes for Lagos Island-bound commuters and motorists following the fire incident in the Apongbon area of the state, Wednesday morning.
An early Wednesday morning fire outbreak at the popular Apongbon Under Bridge Market razed some shops, while causing a traffic gridlock on the Eko bridge leading into Victoria Island.
Although details of the fire and its cause are still sketchy, it was gathered that it started in the morning.
By afternoon, the fire was still raging.
Some vehicles parked under the Eko Bridge were also gutted by the fire which has enveloped a large section of the bridge.
Officials of the Federal and Lagos State Fire Service are currently at the market trying to put out the fire.
“The alternative routes are: movements from Ikorodu Road, take a detour via Jibowu to connect Yaba through to Oyingbo or Adekunle, from there to Adeniji and Adeniji to Ebutte Ero or continue movements toward CSM or inner Marina.
“Second route for those going to Ijora, Costain or inner part of Surulere, can continue through the crawling movement to connect Eko bridge, take a detour to Ijora and continue the journey to Apapa or toward Leventis, UBA roundabout to connect Marina,” NEMA said.
According to Ibrahim Farinloye, South West coordination of NEMA, ”the Eko bridge has been physically damaged. Federal Ministry of Works has been called upon to close the bridge and carry out integrity tests to determine the safety of the bridge for further usage”.
He added that the shops consumed by the fire mostly sell baking materials, which explains the intensity of the fire.