SANWO-OLU URGES CALM AFTER LAGOS ISLAND HIGH-RISE BLAZE

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appealed to residents to stay calm amid the dramatic fire that ravaged the iconic 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, on Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze, which erupted around 4:41 p.m., originated on the fifth floor of the structure—once a bustling corporate hub but now primarily a warehouse and retail space for clothing materials—and rapidly spread upward, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing across the island’s skyline. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as flames illuminated the evening sky, prompting swift evacuations from nearby buildings.

No lives were lost in the incident, a fact the governor repeatedly highlighted as responders battled the inferno through the night. Fire crews from Ebute Elefun, Dolphin, Sari Iganmu stations, and Alausa headquarters raced to the scene, arriving by 4:53 p.m. to launch aggressive containment operations. By 3:40 a.m., the fire had been largely subdued, though crews remained on site for monitoring.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who monitored developments personally from the outset, directed the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to prioritize evacuations and public safety. He stayed in touch with emergency teams and security operatives into the early hours, issuing firm instructions: “Our priority is the safety of lives. I have directed that the building and its surroundings be thoroughly secured and that emergency personnel must ensure that no one is left inside.”

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He praised the firefighters’ “swift and courageous response,” adding, “Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control.”

Expanded Incident Details

Online reports from sources like Vanguard, Punch, and Channels TV confirm the fire’s rapid escalation, with videos circulating on social media showing intense flames and water jets from multiple fire trucks. The building, constructed in the 1970s as Nigeria’s tallest at the time, has faced prior safety concerns, including a 2021 partial collapse scare that led to partial occupancy restrictions. Preliminary probes point to an electrical fault on the fifth floor as a possible trigger, though officials await a full investigation by the fire service and Lagos State Safety Commission.

Security forces quickly cordoned off Martins Street and adjacent areas, preventing access and averting secondary hazards like structural collapses. Adjoining properties were cleared, with no injuries reported among responders or evacuees.

Government Response and Next Steps

The Lagos government has assured ongoing vigilance, with dampening operations continuing Thursday morning to eliminate hotspots. Structural engineers are assessing the building’s integrity, and authorities plan to release a detailed cause report soon. This incident underscores persistent fire safety challenges in Lagos’ aging high-rises, amid calls from experts for stricter compliance with building codes.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s hands-on approach echoes his administration’s rapid responses to past emergencies, like the 2023 Dosu Chief Market fire. The state promises further updates via official channels.