A mid day fire broke out at the Ikeja City Mall near the Lagos State Secretariat yesterday and left hundreds of customers scampering for safety.

The fire, which occurred at Mr. Price Retail Store, started at about 11am leaving customers and staff of the various stores closing up shops in a hurry.

When Daily Trust arrived at the scene of the fire incident, all the entrances to the mall were cordoned off with tapes but only fire fighters, police officers and emergency managers were allowed entry. The ever busy mall, housing Shoprite and about 100 retail and wholesale shops was brought to a halt, leaving customers stranded outside for over four hours.

An official of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who craved anonymity said the fire was caused by an electric surge in the lobby of the Mr. Price Store igniting spark in all the bulbs and electrical appliances within.

He said the Alausa Fire Service was immediately alerted and they arrived at the scene five minutes after the fire started and were able to put it out preventing it from destroying the goods for sale.