Seven adult males sustained varying degrees of burn injuries following a major fire incident that engulfed the 22 storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island on Christmas Eve, triggering a large scale emergency response and affecting nearby residential, commercial and religious buildings.
Emergency authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the injured victims were promptly treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to nearby hospitals for further medical care, as firefighters battled the inferno that spread from the high rise building to adjoining structures.
In addition to those with burn injuries, three male and two female victims suffered smoke inhalation during the incident. They were administered first aid by emergency responders at the scene and later released after their conditions were stabilised.
Officials coordinating the response said the combined efforts of fire and emergency agencies have largely brought the situation under control, although recovery and dampening down operations are still ongoing to prevent re ignition.
According to the update, the fire, which had earlier spread to a nearby mosque, has now been fully contained. Oluwole Plaza, one of the major commercial buildings threatened by the blaze, was largely salvaged as responders successfully extinguished the fire and prevented further destruction.
Other adjoining buildings located close to the Great Nigeria Insurance House were also spared extensive damage due to coordinated firefighting efforts that prevented the inferno from escalating further. Emergency teams, however, remain on ground to ensure the fire is completely extinguished.
Authorities noted that the intensity of heat and smoke in the affected area has significantly reduced as a result of sustained firefighting operations.
The Radio Nigeria building, a seven storey structure located opposite the Great Nigeria Insurance House, was also impacted by the fire. Officials confirmed that the fire at the facility has since been extinguished, while dampening down operations are ongoing to forestall any possible re ignition.
Similarly, a section of Oluwole Plaza that was gutted by the fire has been brought under control, with most of the goods and stalls in the building successfully salvaged. Dampening down operations are continuing as part of ongoing safety measures.
Emergency authorities confirmed that recovery operations are still underway and that further updates will be provided as the situation evolves. The cause of the fire has yet to be officially determined.
AM Business had earlier reported that the Christmas Eve fire gutted the Lagos Island insurance building, destroying property estimated to be worth millions of naira.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started at about 5pm, with thick smoke billowing from the high rise structure, drawing the attention of passersby and business owners operating around the busy Lagos Island axis.
Confirming the incident, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said, “Upon receipt of the distress call at 16:41 hours, firefighters arrived on scene at 16:53 hours to curtail the raging fire.”
She added, “The incident occurred at The Great Nigeria Insurance House, Martins Street, Lagos Island.”
