VIDEO: SANWO-OLU VISITS FIRE-GUTTED LAGOS ISLAND BUILDING

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By: Sefiu Ajape

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inspected the site of the devastating fire that engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island.

The fire, which broke out around 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, was said to have started from the fourth floor of the building before spreading to other levels.

Several surrounding structures were also affected by the inferno, including the seven-storey Radio Nigeria building, Oluwole Plaza, a mosque and other adjoining buildings in the area.

Firefighters and emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Fire Service battled the blaze for over 10 hours, with firefighting efforts extending into Christmas morning.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, said the visit was part of an ongoing coordinated government response.

“Mr Governor is at the scene for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation,” Akosile said.

A video accompanying the post showed Sanwo-Olu moving through the debris-littered area alongside firefighters at the scene.

Earlier on Thursday, LASEMA spokesperson Nosa Okunbor said the fire had been contained, although seven persons sustained varying degrees of burn injuries.

He added that five other individuals suffered smoke inhalation and were treated promptly at the scene.

Okunbor said, “The adjoining buildings in proximity to the high-rise have largely been salvaged, and coordinated efforts continue to ensure the inferno is completely extinguished.

“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.

“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.”

The incident has once again raised concerns over the frequent occurrence of fire outbreaks in Lagos, particularly during festive periods.

See video below:

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