Fire outbreak: Sanwo-Olu orders demolition of GNI building

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the demolition of the Great Nigerian Insurance (GNI) building on Martin Street, Marina, following a fire outbreak that ravaged the structure and affected surrounding properties.

Speaking to journalists at the scene on Thursday, December 25, 2025, Sanwo-Olu said the fire, which occurred on Wednesda,  started on the fourth and fifth floors of the 25-storey building before spreading rapidly to higher levels.

The governor attributed the intensity of the fire to the conversion of the building from office into a large-scale warehousing facility housing inflammable and combustible materials.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the GNI Building had a history of fire incidents in recent years, stressing that repeated safety concerns had been raised over its misuse as a storage facility rather than a proper office complex.

According to the governor, first responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Emergency Response Team, and neighbourhood safety officials, arrived at the scene within 15 to 20 minutes of the outbreak.

He said they were later joined by the Federal Fire Service, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and other corporate organisations with fire-fighting capacity.

He confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident, adding that between seven and ten persons were rescued and taken to hospital by LASEMA ambulances.

7 injured in GNI building fire outbreak ― LASEMA

However, the inferno led to two partial collapses within the main building and caused extensive damage to at least two neighbouring structures, with three others partially affected due to the dense clustering of buildings in the area.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that although the main fire had been largely contained and reduced to minimal levels, pockets of fire were still being tackled, while efforts continued to prevent further spread to adjoining buildings.

Sanwo-Olu announced the immediate constitution of a committee, to be chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties, to advise the state government on the safest and fastest method of demolishing the entire building within the next few days.

He commended all emergency responders for their overnight efforts, noting that multiple fire tankers and aerial ladder equipment were deployed throughout the night despite challenges of access, water supply, and congestion typical of Lagos Island.

The governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to enforcing safety regulations, particularly in high-density commercial areas, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

AN24