Emergency responders were still battling a major fire at the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, more than 10 hours after it broke out on Christmas Eve. The blaze, which started around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, spread to at least four nearby buildings in one of Lagos’ busiest commercial areas.
Video footage shared by the NTA Network showed thick smoke and flames bursting from multiple floors of the building, which is currently used mainly as a warehouse for clothing materials. NTA reported that “more than 10 hours after the inferno… emergency responders are yet to completely put out the fire,” adding that a church and a mosque were among affected structures.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged residents to remain calm, as the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, said no casualties were recorded. “Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control,” the governor said, noting that firefighters arrived within 12 minutes and security agencies had cordoned off the area.