Earlier Christmas morning, a massive fire broke out at the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, leaving nearby residents shaken and multiple adjacent structures damaged.
The fire, which erupted around 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24, 2025), continued to burn for more than 10 hours as firefighters worked relentlessly to contain the flames well into the next day. Thick, black smoke and bright orange flames were visible across much of the commercial district, one of the busiest hubs on Lagos Island.
According to video footage shared by the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Network and confirmed by PUNCH correspondents on the scene Thursday morning, the inferno started on or near the fourth or fifth floor of the high-rise building — a structure primarily used as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials — and swiftly escalated to engulf multiple floors above.
In its visual report, NTA said, “More than 10 hours after the inferno that engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House … emergency responders are yet to completely put out the fire. Flames emanating from the building can still be seen from a distance, while residents and business owners assess the extent of their losses.”
The blaze also spread to at least four neighbouring buildings, including community facilities such as a church and a mosque, compounding the scope of the emergency response.
The Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been closely monitoring the situation. According to Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, he said, “The firefighters arrived at the scene…and commenced coordinated containment operations. 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.”
Omotoso also stated that no casualties had been recorded as of Thursday morning, although the official cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
Fire crews from multiple Lagos State fire stations, including Ebute Elefun, Dolphin, Sari Iganmu and the Alausa headquarters, mobilised rapidly after the distress call was received at about 4:41 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Firefighters reportedly arrived at the scene within 12 minutes, launching sustained efforts to contain the inferno under challenging conditions.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has warned that the fire’s scale and intensity pose ongoing risks to lives, nearby businesses and residential structures. In a safety alert issued late Wednesday, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged residents, traders and occupants of neighbouring buildings to evacuate immediately to minimise exposure to smoke inhalation and structural hazards.
Officials emphasised that smoke, rising heat and rapid fire spread were complicating access to upper floors, making suppression efforts technically demanding. Emergency teams working on the ground included state fire and rescue personnel, the Federal Fire Service, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Nigeria Police, Nigerian Red Cross and paramedic units.
As dawn broke on Christmas Day, substantial portions of the blaze had been brought under control, but emergency crews remained on alert, combating lingering hotspots and securing the scene. Governor Sanwo-Olu continued to receive regular updates and issue directives into the early hours, prioritising evacuation and safety over property concerns.
Authorities have set up security cordons and are conducting ongoing safety assessments to prevent secondary incidents, while promising further updates as the situation unfolds.
