Emergency responders on Wednesday battled a major fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a commercial plaza on Martins Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
The multi-storey building, largely used as a warehouse and trading hub for clothing materials, was reportedly engulfed by fire at about 5 p.m., triggering panic among traders and occupants in the area.
Findings showed that the inferno reportedly started from one of the offices on the fourth floor of the building before spreading rapidly to other sections.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, adding that rescue and firefighting operations were ongoing.
He explained that the situation made it difficult to immediately ascertain the number of casualties, as emergency teams were still working to contain the blaze and secure the building.
Oke-Osanyintolu stated, “Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team at the scene, a 22-storey building (Great Nigeria Insurance House) was found to have been engulfed by fire.
“Preliminary investigation conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the apartments on the fourth floor and quickly gained momentum, spreading to other parts of the floor and escalating upwards to the sixth floor within the 22-storey building.
“Currently, the number of casualties cannot be ascertained, as firefighting operations are still ongoing.”
Similarly, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said no casualty had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.
“The fire is currently affecting up to the fifth floor of a 25-storey building. It originated on the fifth floor and has spread downwards from that level.
“The affected building is primarily used for warehouse storage and the sale of clothing materials, with corporate offices and a few shops also located within the premises. There has been no record of casualties as firefighting continues,” Adeseye stated.
AsBreaking: Fire razes Lagos Island plaza, traders feared trapped
Emergency responders on Wednesday battled a major fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a commercial plaza on Martins Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
The multi-storey building, largely used as a warehouse and trading hub for clothing materials, was reportedly engulfed by fire at about 5 p.m., triggering panic among traders and occupants in the area.
Findings showed that the inferno reportedly started from one of the offices on the fourth floor of the building before spreading rapidly to other sections.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, adding that rescue and firefighting operations were ongoing.
He explained that the situation made it difficult to immediately ascertain the number of casualties, as emergency teams were still working to contain the blaze and secure the building.
Oke-Osanyintolu stated, “Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team at the scene, a 22-storey building (Great Nigeria Insurance House) was found to have been engulfed by fire.
“Preliminary investigation conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the apartments on the fourth floor and quickly gained momentum, spreading to other parts of the floor and escalating upwards to the sixth floor within the 22-storey building.
“Currently, the number of casualties cannot be ascertained, as firefighting operations are still ongoing.”
Similarly, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said no casualty had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.
“The fire is currently affecting up to the fifth floor of a 25-storey building. It originated on the fifth floor and has spread downwards from that level.
“The affected building is primarily used for warehouse storage and the sale of clothing materials, with corporate offices and a few shops also located within the premises.
There has been no record of casualties as firefighting continues,” Adeseye stated.
As of press time, firefighters were still battling the blaze, while security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent further danger and ease emergency operations. of press time, firefighters were still battling the blaze, while security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent further danger and ease emergency operations.