Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the demolition of the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, following a devastating fire that gutted the building.
Governor Sanwo-Olu visited the scene on Thursday, confirming that a committee led by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, will determine the safest and fastest method for demolition. The building will be brought down once the fire is fully extinguished.
Fire Origin and Impact
Preliminary findings indicate that the building, originally designed for office use, had been converted into a warehouse. Most floors stored highly combustible materials, which intensified the fire. Reports show the blaze began on the fourth and fifth floors before spreading rapidly to the upper levels late Wednesday night.
“This building has a history of fire incidents. Its current use as a warehouse storing flammable materials made firefighting extremely difficult,” the governor said. Despite the intensity, there were no fatalities. Between seven and ten people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital under the care of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) ambulances.
Partial Collapse and Demolition Plan
Governor Sanwo-Olu confirmed that parts of the building had partially collapsed, making demolition inevitable. He emphasized the need for heightened fire safety awareness, especially during the dry harmattan season between December and February, when fire risks rise.
“People must stop storing highly inflammable materials in residential and office buildings, particularly in densely populated areas. Enforcement and advocacy will be intensified to prevent a repeat,” he said.
Ongoing Firefighting and Emergency Response
The operational commander of the Federal Fire Service in Lagos, Musa Emmanuel, stated that firefighters are still battling the blaze. He noted that the proximity of surrounding buildings and unknown materials within the GNI House complicated suppression efforts.
Multiple agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, are actively managing the situation.
More than ten buildings were affected, with at least two severely damaged and several partially impacted.
