Sanwo-Olu disclosed that he visited the Balogun area to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the inferno, noting that the scale of loss could not be fully captured through written reports alone.
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed deep sadness over the fire incident that occurred at the Great Nigeria House, describing the tragedy as painful and devastating to those affected.
In a statement shared via his official X handle on Thursday, December 25, 2025, the governor said, "I am deeply saddened by the fire incident that occurred yesterday at the Great Nigeria House. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy."
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that he visited the Balogun area to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the inferno, noting that the scale of loss could not be fully captured through written reports alone.
According to him, "I went to Balogun today for an on-the-spot assessment to better understand the situation. No written report can truly reflect the pain or the full extent of this loss."
The governor also commended firefighters, emergency responders, and other relevant agencies for their swift response and tireless efforts in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading further.
He stated, "I want to thank our firefighters, emergency responders, and all the agencies that worked tirelessly through the night to bring the fire under control. Their courage and dedication saved lives and prevented the damage from spreading further."
Sanwo-Olu assured victims of the incident that the state government would continue to assess the situation and provide necessary support to those impacted by the disaster.
Reaffirming the resilience of Lagos residents, he added, "We will continue to assess the situation and provide support to those who have been impacted. Lagos has always shown strength in difficult moments, and I believe we will get through this together."
The fire at the Great Nigeria House, located in the Balogun area of Lagos Island, has generated widespread concern, as authorities continue investigations into the cause of the incident.
On Wednesday, SaharaReporters reported that Commercial activities around Martins Street on Lagos Island were thrown into uncertainty as emergency responders battled a major fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a high-rise building widely used for warehousing clothing materials.
According to reports, the fire, which reportedly broke out at about 5pm on Wednesday, engulfed parts of the multi-storey plaza, raising concerns over the safety of goods stored in the building and the fate of occupants as rescue operations continued late into the evening.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that the inferno originated from the upper section of the building, though its exact cause remains unclear.
According to him, “Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team at the scene, a 22-storey building (Great Nigeria Insurance House) was found to have been engulfed by fire.
"Preliminary investigation conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the apartments on the fourth floor and quickly gained momentum, spreading to other parts of the floor and escalating upwards to the sixth floor within the 22-storey building."
He added that the evolving nature of the emergency made it difficult to determine the human impact at the time of reporting.
"Currently, the number of casualties cannot be ascertained, as firefighting operations are still ongoing.”
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed its involvement in containing the blaze, noting that the fire affected several floors of the structure used largely for storage and commercial purposes.
The Controller-General of the agency, Margaret Adeseye, said firefighters were working to prevent further spread, while reassuring the public that no loss of life had been reported.
“The fire is currently affecting up to the fifth floor of a 25-storey building. It originated on the fifth floor and has spread downwards from that level.
“The affected building is primarily used for warehouse storage and the sale of clothing materials, with corporate offices and a few shops also located within the premises. There has been no record of casualties as firefighting continues,” Adeseye stated.
As emergency teams remain on site, business owners and workers in the area await clearer assessments of damage and safety, amid fears of significant material losses.