Seven individuals were hospitalized after a fire broke out at the 22-story Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, causing varied degrees of burns.
The fire reportedly damaged numerous nearby structures, including the seven-story Radio Nigeria building, the prominent Oluwole Plaza, a mosque, and other adjacent buildings.
Nosa Okunbor, spokesman for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the event in an update issued on Christmas Day.
The fire, which broke out about 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, apparently started on the fourth story of the structure and spread to adjacent stories.
He also stated that five others experienced smoke inhalation and were treated immediately at the scene.
“The adjoining buildings in proximity to the high-rise have largely been salvaged, and coordinated efforts continue to ensure the inferno is completely extinguished,” he said.
“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-story Radio Nigeria building opposite the Great Nigeria Insurance House has been safely extinguished by emergency responders, and dampening-down operations are ongoing.”
He underlined that the continuous dampening activities are intended to prevent the fire from reigniting.
