Lagos GNI Fire: Sanwo-Olu Orders Closure of Buildings, Vows Full Market Redevelopment

Lagos GNI Fire: Sanwo-Olu Orders Closure of Buildings, Vows Full Market Redevelopment
Orders integrity audit on standing buildings
DNA to be conducted on three charred bodies for identification

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday returned to the scene of the Christmas Eve fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, to assess ongoing emergency and rescue operations.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that firefighters and emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), alongside officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and security agencies, have continued to comb through the rubble in search of possible survivors believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

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During his on-the-spot assessment, Sanwo-Olu confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the inferno, with three victims burnt beyond recognition. He disclosed that thirteen traders trapped in the collapsed structure were rescued alive by the combined efforts of first responders.

Lagos GNI Fire: Sanwo-Olu Orders Closure of Buildings, Vows Full Market Redevelopment

The governor said five of the deceased victims had already been identified by their families, adding that DNA tests would be conducted on the three charred bodies recovered from the site to establish their identities.

After inspecting the fire site, Sanwo-Olu toured adjoining streets within the Balogun Market to assess the condition of surrounding high-rise buildings. He said preliminary observations revealed widespread violations of building regulations by traders and property owners in the area.

According to the governor, several buildings showed signs of structural distress, while many traders had erected unapproved structures and flouted safety standards.

“In the last one hour, I’ve gone round the streets within the market. From a non-professional assessment, most of the buildings appear distressed. A professional assessment will be conducted on all structures,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He described the level of non-compliance with building codes as reckless, revealing that over fourteen industrial generators were found on upper floors of some buildings, while shops were constructed dangerously close to electricity transformers.

Sanwo-Olu announced plans for the complete regeneration of the Balogun Market area, stating that the redevelopment was necessary to restore order, aesthetics, and safety.

“This is an opportunity for us to embark on a full regeneration of this area. It is a tough decision, but it is the right step to preserve lives and property,” he said.

Addressing reports of missing persons, the governor assured families that search-and-rescue operations would continue until the site was fully cleared. He noted that emergency responders had earlier instructed occupants to evacuate the building as the fire spread, but some traders reportedly stayed back to salvage goods.

He also lamented that trading in unapproved areas obstructed vehicular movement, delaying access for emergency responders.

Sanwo-Olu declared the GNI fire scene an “active site” and directed that emergency agencies, including LASEMA, NEMA, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), and the Central Business District (CBD) Office, remain on ground to assist affected families.

Lagos GNI Fire: Sanwo-Olu Orders Closure of Buildings, Vows Full Market Redevelopment

To ensure safety, the governor ordered the closure of all shops and buildings within a 100-metre radius of the fire site until further notice, stressing that the area remains unsafe for public movement.