Nigerian blaze burns hundreds of buildings

LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Fire rampaged through a waterfront suburb of Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses, officials say.

The blaze Tuesday afternoon in Ebute Metta, a district of Lagos where many sawmills are located, was fanned by swirling winds, Nigeria's Channels Television reported.

Paul Apeti, a timber factory owner, said 250 homes had been consumed.

"Millions" of people lived in the area, he said. No casualties were reported.

An estimated 17 million people live in Lagos.