Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents to remain calm following a massive fire at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, which left seven people injured.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement on Thursday that while no fatalities were recorded, several individuals sustained burns and smoke inhalation. “Our priority is the safety of lives; the building and its surroundings have been thoroughly secured, and emergency personnel ensured that no one was left inside,” Omotoso said.
The distress call was received at about 4:41 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting immediate deployment of fire crews from the Ebute Elefun and Dolphin Fire Stations, reinforced by teams from Sari Iganmu and Alausa Headquarters. Firefighters arrived on the scene within 12 minutes and commenced coordinated containment operations. Preliminary reports indicate the fire started on the fifth floor before spreading to other levels of the structure, which is mainly used as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that seven men suffered varying degrees of burns, while three males and two females were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and later discharged. The blaze also spread to nearby structures, including a mosque and parts of the Oluwole Plaza, but adjoining buildings were largely salvaged thanks to the swift response of emergency crews.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who monitored the incident personally from the outset, commended the bravery of firefighters and first responders. “Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control,” he said, adding that security agencies have been deployed to maintain safety and prevent secondary incidents.
- According to LASEMA, containment and dampening-down operations are ongoing, with recovery efforts focused on salvaging goods and ensuring the complete extinguishment of the fire. Authorities assured the public that further updates would be provided as the situation develops.