iDeemlawfulThe Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, working in collaboration with sister emergency agencies, has successfully brought under control the fire outbreak that affected parts of the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance building on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
According to an update provided to TVC News by the agency, the fire, which had extended to a nearby mosque, has now been contained.
The statement read, “The Oluwole Plaza has now been largely salvaged, and the fire also extinguished. The adjoining buildings in proximity to the high-rise building have all been largely salvaged, and coordinated efforts continue towards ensuring the inferno is totally extinguished.”
It further disclosed that seven adult males sustained varying degrees of burn injuries and were evacuated to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
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The statement added, “7 adult males suffered various degrees of burns injuries as a result of the inferno and have been attended by the Agencies Paramedics and taken to nearby hospitals for further medical.
“3 male and 2 female victims were administered first aid due to smoke inhalation and released at the incident scene. The intensity of the heat and smoke has reduced due to the efforts of emergency responders.”
“The Radio Nigeria (7-storey) building (opposite the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House) has been extinguished safely by emergency responders, and dampening down is currently ongoing.
“A section of the Oluwole Plaza, which was gutted by fire, has also been brought under control, salvaging most of the goods and stalls in the building. Dampening down is also ongoing there.
“Recovery operation is still ongoing. Updates to follow,” the statement concluded.
Earlier, the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, was still engulfed in thick smoke and flames on Thursday morning, more than 12 hours after the fire broke out, as emergency responders continued efforts to prevent further spread across multiple floors.
A visit by TVC News in the early hours of Thursday revealed heavy smoke and flames rising high into the air from the building.
Reacting to the incident, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged residents to remain calm following the fire that affected the GNI building.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, it was disclosed that the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, though no casualties were recorded.
The statement noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu, who monitored the situation closely from the onset, promptly directed the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to intensify response operations and ensure the evacuation of surrounding buildings to safeguard lives.
It explained that upon receiving the distress call at 4:41 p.m., firefighters from Ebute Elefun and Dolphin Fire Stations responded immediately, with reinforcement from Sari Iganmu Fire Station and the Alausa Headquarters. Fire crews arrived at the scene within 12 minutes, at 4:53 p.m., and began coordinated containment efforts.
Preliminary findings indicated that the fire originated from the fifth floor of the building before spreading to other sections.
The affected structure, previously used as corporate office space, is currently utilised mainly as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials.
Governor Sanwo-Olu remained in constant communication with emergency and security agencies into the early hours of the morning. As of 3:40 a.m., when the fire had largely subsided, he continued to receive briefings and issue directives.
He specifically ordered that no person must be left inside the building, stressing that the protection of lives takes precedence over property.
“Our priority is the safety of lives. I have directed that the building and its surroundings be thoroughly secured and that emergency personnel must ensure that no one is left inside.
I commend our firefighters and first responders for their swift and courageous response. Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control,” the Governor said.
Security operatives have since cordoned off the area, while emergency teams continue safety assessments to avert any secondary incidents.
The Lagos State Government has assured residents that it remains fully in control of the situation and will provide further updates as necessary.