A 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, was on Wednesday engulfed by fire, triggering emergency response and panic within the area.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Lagos.
Oke-Osanyintolu said preliminary reports indicated that the fire outbreak originated from an apartment located on the fourth floor of the building.
He added that the fire later spread to the sixth floor before emergency responders arrived to contain the situation.
“The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, as investigations will commence after firefighting operations are concluded,” he said.
According to him, the number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained because rescue and containment efforts were still ongoing.
Oke-Osanyintolu said six fire trucks and a skylift were deployed to the scene to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
He explained that emergency teams were working under challenging conditions due to the height of the building.
Responders at the scene included LASEMA, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service and the Police.
Other agencies involved were the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Red Cross and LRU Paramedics.
The permanent secretary disclosed that LRU Fire had also been activated to strengthen firefighting operations.
“Recovery operations are currently in progress, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
Source: NAN
READ ALSO:
APC: Tinubu inaugurates committee on strategy, conflict resolution
Christmas: Atiku calls for reflection, peace, national renewal
Two Kano lawmakers die on the same day
Christmas: I’m committed to ensuring religious freedom –Tinubu
Great expectations as Jaiyesimi’s ‘ITAN’ returns to MUSON for Christmas
2025, Japa dreams, Immigration ‘shege’, By Funke Egbemode
New tax law designed to boost sub-national govts’ revenue needs —Sanwo-Olu
AFCON 2025: Lookman’s strike gives Nigeria win over Tanzania
IPI condemns detention of journalist’s wife, nine-month-old baby
APC chair, Yilwatda, appoints Special Advisers, others (+Full list)
BPSR ranks NCC among top three MDAs in best website performance in 2025
