Fire engulfs 22-storey insurance building on Lagos Island

The 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, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident.

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 the Permanent Secretary in a statement, the number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained because rescue and containment efforts were still ongoing.

• Yusuf condoles with Assembly over death of lawmakers
• Christmas: DG NCSP felicitates with Christians
• Akpabio to Nigerians at Christmas: Let peace, love, unity reign
• Atiku calls for reflection, peace, renewal at Christmas
• Gov. Zulum condemns Maiduguri mosque blast

Oke-Osanyintolu said six fire trucks and a sky lift 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 Police.

Other agencies involved were the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, 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.

Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp

[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']