Emergency responders are battling a fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a multi-storey plaza on Martins Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
The building, which is largely used as a warehouse for clothing materials, was reportedly engulfed by fire at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the fire originated from one of the offices on the fourth floor of the building.
He explained that the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, noting that it started on the fourth floor before spreading to other levels of the structure.
Oke-Osanyintolu added that the number of casualties could not be confirmed as rescue and firefighting operations were still ongoing.
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“Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team at the scene, a 22-storey building, the Great Nigeria Insurance House, was found engulfed by fire,” he said.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire started from one of the offices on the fourth floor and rapidly spread across the floor, escalating to the sixth floor of the 22-storey building.
“Currently, the number of casualties cannot be ascertained, as firefighting operations are still in progress.”
However, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said no casualties had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.
She said the fire affected up to the fifth floor of the building, describing it as a 25-storey structure predominantly used for warehouse storage and the sale of clothing materials, with corporate offices and a few shops also located within the premises.
Adeseye added that firefighters were continuing efforts to contain the blaze and prevent further spread.
