On Thursday, December 25, 2025, seven people were confirmed to have sustained varying degrees of burns after a fire broke out at the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House, located on Martins Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria’s historic commercial and administrative district. The victims were immediately hospitalised for medical attention.
The fire reportedly affected several nearby structures, including the seven-storey Radio Nigeria building, the popular Oluwole Plaza, a mosque, and other adjoining commercial and residential buildings.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Christmas Day.
“The adjoining buildings in proximity to the high-rise have largely been salvaged, and coordinated efforts continue to ensure the inferno is completely extinguished,” Okunbor said.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire began around 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, originating from the fourth floor of the Great Nigeria Insurance House before rapidly spreading to the upper floors. LASEMA immediately issued a public alert urging residents and traders in the area to evacuate for safety.
Giving a detailed update on Thursday, Okunbor stated, “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. Five other individuals experienced smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene.”
Okunbor further disclosed that emergency responders had successfully extinguished the fire at the seven-storey Radio Nigeria building across from the insurance house and that dampening operations continue to prevent any rekindling of flames.
Okay News reports that authorities have urged continued caution in the area as firefighting teams remain on high alert to monitor the situation and ensure complete containment.
