Many traders at the popular Balogun market in Lagos State wept on Thursday morning as fire burnt their goods.

The fire incident, which started at midnight, occurred nine days before Christmas.

Many of the traders lamented that they had stocked millions of goods for end-of-year sales before the fire incident occurred.

The PUNCH gathered that many traders selling clothes and bags were most hit.

One of the affected traders, identified simply as Iya Akande, broke down in tears While narrating the incident.

She lamented that some of them took loans to purchase goods ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

“I just came to the market to open my shop and saw many traders crying. I looked up and saw that our goods have been gutted by fire.

“We are in trouble. Many of us took loans to get goods so that we can make much profit during this festive period.”

Asked to estimate the amount of goods burnt, she said, “millions”.

We are very sorry to hear of this terrible loss. We couldn’t believe how devastating the damage has caused to the markets. We want you to know that our prayers are with you all.

Details later…