Fire erupted at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a 22-storey skyscraper located on Martins Street, Lagos Island, which reportedly started around 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 24.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies are currently on the scene to contain the fire, which is concentrated on the lower-middle floors of the building.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the fire erupted from an office on the fourth floor. Due to the presence of highly combustible materials, the flames quickly escalated upwards to the fifth and sixth floors.
Some agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, initially reported no confirmed casualties. Subsequent reports from the scene stated that several traders may be trapped inside the
upper floors.
The building is a major retail and storage hub for clothing materials, which acts as fuel, allowing the fire to spread quickly despite the concrete structure.
A total of six fire trucks and a skylight aerial ladder, have been deployed. The operation involves LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, the Nigerian Police, and the Red Cross.
While official death counts remain at zero, rescue teams are actively searching for individuals who were unable to exit the building before the smoke became too dense.
The situation remains critical as the fire continues to burn into the night. Authorities have cordoned off Martins Street and advised the public to avoid the Lagos Island Central Business District to allow unimpeded access for fire engines. A full investigation into the cause of the fire, whether electrical or otherwise will commence once the site is declared safe.
Details later….
Leave a comment