Massive Fire Destroys Great Nigeria Insurance House In Lagos, Traders Trapped
A major fire broke out on Wednesday evening at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a multi-storey plaza on Martins Street, Lagos Island, leaving traders trapped inside.
The blaze, which reportedly started around 5pm, affected the building, largely used as a warehouse and sales centre for clothing materials.
Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said the fire began in an office on the fourth floor before spreading to other parts of the structure.
“Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team, the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House was already engulfed in flames,” he said. “Initial investigations show the fire started from one of the fourth-floor offices and quickly spread. The number of casualties is not yet known as rescue and firefighting operations are ongoing.”
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that no casualties had been reported so far. She added that the fire had affected up to the fifth floor, with firefighting efforts still underway.
“The building is mainly used for storage and sale of clothing materials, alongside some corporate offices and shops. No casualties have been recorded at this time,” Adeseye said.
Emergency officials have advised the public to keep away from the area to allow rescue teams to operate safely.
