Lagos Car Dealer Loses Over N700 Million in Overnight Fire, More Than 21 Vehicles Destroyed

A Lagos-based car dealer, identified as Moses Benz, has reportedly lost vehicles and other property worth more than ₦700 million after a fire engulfed his car dealership and workshop in the Isheri-Idimu area of Lagos State.

The fire reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 30, 2026, at Moses Benz Autocare, located along Oladunni Street, beside Eternal Filling Station, in the Alimosho Local Government Area. The incident affected about 21 vehicles, according to reports citing the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

Recounting the incident in a video circulated on social media, Moses said he had closed his office at approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday and returned home before receiving a telephone call from his security guard at about 2 a.m. alerting him to the fire.

The dealer said he immediately checked his security cameras and saw flames spreading across the premises. He expressed shock at the development, explaining that he regularly monitored the facility remotely during the night to keep track of the vehicles in his custody.

According to the dealer, vehicles belonging to him and valued at more than ₦500 million were destroyed in the inferno. He also disclosed that more than 21 vehicles belonging to customers, with a combined estimated value exceeding ₦200 million, were affected, bringing the reported losses to over ₦700 million.

Moses said efforts to extinguish the fire using water and more than 10 fire extinguishers at the facility proved unsuccessful. He added that he contacted the fire service and other emergency agencies for assistance, alleging that firefighters took about three hours to arrive and bring the situation under control.

The dealer expressed particular concern over the destruction of customers’ vehicles, including cars that had already been purchased but were yet to be collected by their owners. He said he had spent more than ₦200 million acquiring vehicles for customers who were subsequently unable to take delivery because of the fire.

In a public appeal to the affected customers, Moses apologised for the losses and said he did not know what caused the incident. He acknowledged the financial implications of the destruction for people who had entrusted him with money to purchase vehicles and expressed concern over their inability to receive the cars.

Meanwhile, LASEMA reported that its Dolphin Response Team, operating from its Igando base, was activated following a distress call. The agency said emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force, participated in the operation to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby properties.

LASEMA said the fire affected approximately 21 exotic vehicles and caused minor damage to part of a neighbouring building. The agency also reported that no casualties or injuries were recorded and that the fire had been extinguished, with damping-down operations completed.