Seven persons have been confirmed injured and hospitalised following a fire outbreak at the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
The blaze, which erupted at about 5p.m. on Christmas Eve, spread beyond the high-rise structure, affecting nearby buildings including the seven-storey Radio Nigeria complex, Oluwole Plaza, a mosque and several adjoining properties.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, confirmed the development in an update issued on Christmas Day by its spokesperson, Nosa Okunbor.
According to preliminary findings, the fire originated from the fourth floor of the building before rapidly spreading to other levels, prompting emergency authorities to issue an immediate evacuation advisory to residents and traders within the vicinity.
Providing a situation update on Thursday, Okunbor disclosed that although the fire had been brought under control, seven adult males sustained varying degrees of burn injuries and were subsequently hospitalised.
“Seven adult males suffered varying degrees of burn injuries as a result of the inferno and were attended to by the agency’s paramedics before being taken to nearby hospitals for further medical attention,” he said.
He added that five other individuals who suffered from smoke inhalation were treated on-site by emergency responders.
“The adjoining buildings in proximity to the high-rise have largely been salvaged, and coordinated efforts continue to ensure the inferno is completely extinguished,” Okunbor stated.
He further confirmed that emergency teams had successfully put out the fire at the Radio Nigeria building opposite the affected high-rise.
“The seven-storey Radio Nigeria building opposite the Great Nigeria Insurance House has been safely extinguished by emergency responders, and dampening-down operations are ongoing,” he said.
According to LASEMA, ongoing dampening efforts are aimed at preventing any possible re-ignition as safety assessments continue in the affected area.
