10 Rescued As Fire Engulfs GNI Building In Lagos

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that 10 people were rescued alive after a fire broke out at The Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Lagos Island on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a statement signed by Controller General Margaret Adeseye, the emergency was reported at 16:41 hours at 45 Martins Street, Lagos Island. Firefighting crews from Ebute Elefun and Dolphin Fire Stations were immediately deployed, with additional support from Sari Iganmu, Bolade, Isolo Fire Stations, and the Alausa Headquarters, who arrived at the scene at 16:53 hours.

The 25-storey building, which houses warehouse storage and sales outlets for clothing materials, corporate offices, and a few retail shops, reportedly caught fire on the fifth floor.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service stated that the rescued individuals, predominantly men, sustained varying degrees of injuries but are currently in stable condition.

The fire also affected five adjoining buildings, with two partially damaged and three severely affected, including the old Lagos Central Mosque.

Highlighting operational challenges, the statement said, “The affected buildings are predominantly warehouses with poor storage practices, involving highly combustible materials, which facilitated rapid fire spread and complicated suppression efforts. Crowd control and accessibility have posed significant challenges for emergency responders. The conjoined nature of the building structures further aided fire propagation and hindered effective firefighting operations.”

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to remain calm, cooperate with emergency personnel, and follow safety advisories, reiterating its commitment to safeguarding lives and property.