Lagos govt gives update on GNI house fire, urges public to avoid speculation
Lagos State Government has provided an official update on the Christmas Eve fire incident at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, urging the public to refrain from speculation as recovery operations continue.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said the government sympathised deeply with families who lost loved ones in the tragic incident, noting that the state understands the pain and anxiety caused by the disaster.
According to the government, emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene upon receipt of the fire alert. These included the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), as well as security agencies and other emergency and safety units.
Omotoso said the teams have remained on site, carrying out systematic search, rescue and safety operations in line with internationally accepted emergency response protocols.
He added that the responders would continue their work until recovery operations are fully completed and supported by thorough forensic assessments.
Providing details of casualties as of Wednesday morning, the government said eight males, including a fireman, were rescued with varying degrees of injuries and taken to hospital.
Three males and two females sustained minor injuries, were given first aid and later released at the scene. One adult female was extricated dead from the rubble, while two adult males were also recovered.
In addition, three persons reportedly sustained severe burns.
The state government appealed to members of the public, affected families and other stakeholders to exercise patience, restraint and sensitivity, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of heightening public anxiety or undermining ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
“The Lagos State Government remains fully committed to the safety of all and the professional handling of this tragic incident,” the statement said, adding that further updates would be communicated through official channels.
