Inferno at Lagos high-rise leaves traders devastated, billions lost

A massive fire ripped through a 25-storey building on Martins Street, Lagos Island on Christmas Eve, destroying goods worth billions of naira and shattering the hopes of many traders who were away for the Yuletide or preparing for the festive rush.

The blaze began at about 4 p.m. on Wednesday, quickly spreading from the fourth floor of the Great Nigeria Insurance House to four neighboring buildings, turning one of the busiest commercial districts into a scene of chaos and destruction.

Emergency crews battled the inferno amid challenges such as flammable materials stored inside the buildings, congested access routes, and roadside stalls that delayed firefighters’ arrival.

The flames were so intense they were visible from the nearby Obalende Bridge.

At least three people have been confirmed dead, with several others injured or rescued from the rubble.

Emergency services, including Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, LASEMA, Red Cross, and police, worked through the night trying to control the fire and save lives.

A section of the building collapsed into the old Lagos Central Mosque late Wednesday night, crushing goods that traders had tried to salvage and forcing firefighters to repeatedly retreat due to safety concerns.

Traders said their shops and warehouses inside the high-rise were filled with clothing, shoes, bags, and other merchandise — items they now cannot recover.

Many stayed near the scene throughout the night, trying to save what little they could.

Officials noted that storage of highly combustible materials and the close spacing of buildings made suppression efforts harder.

The Lagos governor has expressed sympathy with victims and set up a committee to recommend the safest method to demolish the unstable structure.

The tragic fire comes just months after another deadly blaze at Afriland Tower in the city and has reignited concerns about fire safety in Lagos’ commercial hubs.