Two adult males have been confirmed dead following the devastating fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island.
The bodies were recovered on Friday during ongoing search and rescue operations at the Marina axis, where the 25-storey high-rise building was severely damaged by the inferno that broke out on Thursday.
According to reports, the fire started from the fourth floor of the building before spreading to the sixth floor and rapidly engulfing other levels, as well as adjoining structures. During the incident, part of the building reportedly collapsed, trapping several traders beneath the rubble.
The fire also spread to nearby properties, including the Old Lagos Central Mosque, raising concerns about the scale of damage within the densely populated commercial area.
Although efforts to get an official statement from the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, were unsuccessful as of press time, a senior LASEMA official, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the recovery of the bodies.
“Two bodies were recovered today during the search exercise. The first was found at about 11:03 a.m., while the second was recovered around 12:03 p.m.,” the official said.
Emergency responders are continuing search, recovery, and safety operations at the scene to locate other possible victims and ensure the area is secured against further hazards.
Authorities are expected to provide more updates as investigations and rescue efforts progress.
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