Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu, has urged residents to remain calm following a fire incident at the 25 storey Great Nigeria Insurance GNI Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the Governor said he had been personally monitoring the situation since it was reported and immediately activated emergency response protocols.
According to the Lagos State Government, the cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, but no casualty was recorded as at the time of reporting.
The statement said the Governor directed the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to intensify response efforts and ensure the evacuation of adjoining buildings to guarantee public safety.
It added that a distress call was received at 4:41 p.m., prompting fire crews from Ebute Elefun and Dolphin Fire Stations to respond, with reinforcement from Sari Iganmu Fire Station and the Alausa headquarters.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within 12 minutes at 4:53 p.m. and commenced coordinated containment efforts.
Preliminary reports indicated that the fire started from the fifth floor of the building before spreading to other levels. The structure, which was formerly used as corporate office space, currently serves mainly as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials.
The statement noted that Governor Sanwo Olu remained in constant communication with emergency responders and security agencies into the early hours of the morning. As at 3:40 a.m., when the fire had largely subsided, the Governor was still receiving updates and issuing directives.
He was quoted as saying:
“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. I commend our firefighters and first responders for their swift and courageous response. Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control.”
The Governor also instructed that no individual must be left behind in the building, stressing that human life takes precedence over property.
Security agencies have since been deployed to cordon off the area, while first responders continue safety assessments to prevent secondary incidents.
The Lagos State Government assured residents that it remains fully on top of the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
