Emergency responders are still battling a massive fire that erupted on Christmas Eve at the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, more than 10 hours after it began.
PUNCH Online learnt that the blaze, which started around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, spread to at least four adjacent buildings, causing widespread damage in one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs.
The fire reportedly originated on the fourth or fifth floor of the high-rise, which is primarily used as a warehouse for clothing, before escalating to other floors.
Video footage from the scene, shared by the NTA Network on Thursday, showed thick plumes of smoke engulfing the structure, with bright orange flames bursting from multiple floors and debris littering the streets below.
NTA said, “More than 10 hours after the inferno that engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House located on Martins Street, Lagos Island, emergency responders are yet to completely put out the fire.
“Flames emanating from the building can still be seen from a distance, while residents and business owners assess the extent of their losses. Many people in the area have been unable to sleep. At least four buildings, including a church and a mosque, have been affected by the fire.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents to remain calm following the incident.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, stated in a press release on Thursday that no casualties were recorded, while the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.
Omotoso said the governor, who had been personally monitoring the situation since it was reported, immediately directed the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to intensify response efforts and ensure the evacuation of adjoining buildings.
According to him, the distress call was received at about 4:41 p.m., prompting an immediate response from fire crews at the Ebute Elefun and Dolphin fire stations, with reinforcement from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station and the Alausa headquarters.
“The firefighters arrived at the scene within 12 minutes, at about 4:53 p.m., and commenced coordinated containment operations,” he said.
He added that preliminary reports indicated the fire started from the fifth floor of the building before spreading to other levels.
The commissioner explained that the affected structure, which was formerly used as corporate office space, currently serves mainly as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials.
Omotoso stated that the governor maintained constant communication with emergency responders and security agencies throughout the early hours of the morning.
“As `at` about 3:40 a.m., when the fire had largely been brought under control, the governor was still receiving updates and issuing directives.
“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,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also commended firefighters and first responders for their swift and courageous response, assuring Lagosians that the situation was under control.
“Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control,” he said.
Omotoso added that security agencies had been deployed to cordon off the area, while first responders continued safety assessments to prevent any secondary incidents. He assured residents that the Lagos State Government remained fully on top of the situation and would provide further updates as necessary.
