Following the devastating fire outbreak that razed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents to remain calm as emergency responders continued to rescue mission.
As of press time, fortunately, no casualty has been recorded
and cause of incident yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, has is set to visit the scene for on
the spot assessment and possible further rescue mission and assistance to
victims.
The Governor, who has been personally monitoring the
situation since the incident was reported, immediately directed the Lagos State
Fire and Rescue Service to intensify response efforts and ensure the evacuation
of adjoining buildings to guarantee public safety.
Recall that when the distress call was received at 4:41
p.m., fire crews from Ebute Elefun and Dolphin Fire Stations responded
promptly, with reinforcement from Sari Iganmu Fire Station and the Alausa
Headquarters. Firefighters arrived at the scene within 12 minutes, at 4:53
p.m., and commenced coordinated containment efforts.
According to Lagos State Emergency Management Authority,
LASEMA, preliminary reports indicate that the fire started from the fifth floor
of the building before spreading to other levels.
The affected structure, formerly used as corporate office
space, currently serves mainly as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing
materials.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho,
in a statement on Thursday, said, “Governor Sanwo-Olu remained in constant
communication with emergency responders and security agencies well into the
early hours of the morning.
“As at 3:40 a.m., when the fire had largely subsided, the
Governor was still receiving updates and giving directives.
“He specifically instructed that no individual must be left
behind in the building, emphasizing the primacy of human life over property.
“Our priority is the safety of lives. I have directed that
the building and its surroundings be thoroughly secured and that emergency
personnel must ensure that no one is left inside.”
He commended the firefighters and first responders for their
swift and courageous response. “Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is
under control.
“Security agencies have been deployed to cordon off the
area, while first responders continue to conduct safety assessments to prevent
secondary incidents,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The Governor, therefore assured residents that it remains
fully on top of the situation and will continue to provide updates as
necessary.
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