Panic and tension gripped parts of Lagos Island on Wednesday evening as a massive fire outbreak swept through a high-rise commercial building popularly known as the Great Nigeria Insurance House, located on Martins Street. The blaze, which reportedly started in the late afternoon, prompted an emergency response from multiple rescue agencies as firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the inferno and prevent further escalation.
The affected structure, a 22-storey building widely used as a warehouse and commercial hub for clothing materials, was said to have been engulfed by fire at about 5 p.m. Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky, drawing the attention of residents, traders, and passersby in the busy Lagos Island axis.
Emergency responders, including officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, were swiftly deployed to the scene following distress calls from the area. The response teams immediately commenced firefighting and rescue operations amid concerns over the safety of occupants and the potential spread of the fire to nearby buildings.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary investigations indicated that the fire originated from one of the offices located on the fourth floor of the building. He explained that the fire quickly gained momentum and spread to other parts of the structure before emergency teams arrived.
“Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team at the scene, a 22-storey building known as the Great Nigeria Insurance House was found to have been engulfed by fire,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “Preliminary investigation conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the apartments on the fourth floor and quickly spread to other parts of the floor, escalating upwards within the building.”
According to him, the cause of the fire had not yet been ascertained as of the time of filing this report. He added that rescue and firefighting operations were still ongoing, making it difficult to immediately determine the extent of damage or the number of casualties, if any.
“Currently, the number of casualties cannot be ascertained, as firefighting operations are still ongoing,” the LASEMA boss stated, noting that the safety of emergency personnel and potential occupants remained a top priority.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described moments of confusion and fear as workers and traders hurriedly evacuated the building upon noticing smoke and flames. Some residents said they heard loud sounds believed to be from exploding materials within the warehouse, further intensifying panic in the area.
“The smoke was very thick, and people were running out in different directions,” said a trader who operates a shop on a nearby street. “Everyone was scared because the building is very tall and filled with goods. We were worried it might collapse or spread to other buildings.”
Providing further clarification, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, also issued a statement on Wednesday, offering a slightly different account of the fire’s spread while reassuring the public that no casualties had been recorded so far.
“The fire is currently affecting up to the fifth floor of a 25-storey building,” Adeseye said. “It originated on the fifth floor and has spread downwards from that level. The affected building is primarily used for warehouse storage and the sale of clothing materials, with corporate offices and a few shops also located within the premises.”
She added that firefighters were making steady progress in containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to adjacent structures, despite the challenges posed by the height of the building and the combustible nature of the stored materials.
“There has been no record of casualties as firefighting continues,” Adeseye stated, stressing that the operation involved multiple fire trucks and personnel working under difficult conditions.
The slight variation in accounts regarding the exact floor where the fire originated was attributed to ongoing investigations and the complexity of assessing a rapidly evolving situation in a high-rise building. Officials said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted after the fire had been fully extinguished to determine the precise cause and sequence of events.
The Great Nigeria Insurance House is a prominent commercial building on Lagos Island, housing numerous businesses, warehouses, and offices. The area is known for its dense commercial activities, narrow streets, and heavy human and vehicular traffic, factors that often complicate emergency response efforts.
Traffic in parts of Lagos Island was temporarily disrupted as security personnel cordoned off the area to allow emergency vehicles access to the scene. Motorists and pedestrians were advised to avoid Martins Street and adjoining roads while the operation was ongoing.
This incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety standards in high-rise commercial buildings across Lagos, particularly those used as warehouses for flammable materials. Over the years, Lagos has witnessed several fire outbreaks in markets, warehouses, and residential buildings, often resulting in significant economic losses.
Safety experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, including the installation of functional fire alarms, sprinklers, and emergency exits, especially in multi-storey buildings. They have also urged building owners and occupants to conduct regular safety drills and ensure proper electrical installations to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks.
As night fell, emergency responders continued their efforts to bring the fire under control, with officials expressing cautious optimism that the situation would soon be fully contained. Residents and business owners in the area remained on edge, anxiously awaiting updates on the extent of damage and when normal activities could resume.
Authorities have assured the public that further updates will be provided as the situation develops. For now, attention remains focused on extinguishing the fire, safeguarding lives, and preventing a recurrence of such incidents in one of Lagos’ busiest commercial districts.
