A massive fire outbreak on Wednesday evening, December 24, Christmas eve engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria House located at the Oluwole axis of Lagos Island, triggering panic among residents, workers and passersby in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly across several floors of the high-rise building, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky and forcing people around the vicinity to flee to safety. Viral videos circulating on social media captured the intensity of the blaze as flames raged within the structure.
Emergency responders, including firefighters, were quickly deployed to the scene and were battling to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings as of press time.
The cause of the inferno has not yet been established, and authorities are expected to commence investigations after the fire is fully extinguished.
Great Nigeria House, owned by Great Nigeria Insurance Company Limited, is one of the tallest buildings in the country and also houses offices of Mainstreet Bank and other businesses. The extent of damage and whether any casualties were recorded had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Further updates are expected as emergency operations continue.