It was a sad day for traders on Lagos Island on Monday following an early morning inferno that razed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance Company Limited’s house in Lagos Island.Over a billion Naira in property and cash was said to have been lost to the inferno
The commercial building, which is located along Martins Street, off Balogun, Marina, Lagos Island, housed banks and other businesses.
Although properties worth millions have been destroyed, no life was lost, as workers in the premises were yet to resume work when the fire started.
It was learnt that occupants of the complex, who had arrived early discovered there was fire on the first floor of the edifice.
At the time of filing this report (12pm) both Federal and State Fire Services were still battling to quench the inferno.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA); the Police; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) are on ground to manage the situation.
Confirming the situation, the state Fire Service Director, Raqaz Fadipe said the fire started at about 6:30am.
He said the cause of the fire could not be ascertained at the moment, adding “we have to put out the fire first before carrying out investigation into the cause.”
NEMA’s South West Spokesman, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the agencies were trying to ensure the fire does not get to the fourth floor of the building.
“We are working hard to make sure it does not escalate because at the back of the building is a residential area.
“The fire fighters are using aerial equipment and we have also solicited the assistance of the military to bring the situation under control,” he said.
Meanwhile, fire service personnel battling Monday’s Great Nigeria House inferno were attacked by areas boys at the scene of the incident.
A fire service personnel was injured and taken away for medical attention, while another hoodlum got injured as a result of stampede.