A major fire broke out on Wednesday evening at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a multi-storey building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, trapping several traders inside.

The blaze, which reportedly started around 5pm, affected a structure primarily used as a warehouse and sales centre for clothing materials.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that the fire began in an office on the fourth floor before spreading to other parts of the building.

“Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team, the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House was already engulfed in flames,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “Initial investigations indicate the fire started from a fourth-floor office and quickly spread. The number of casualties is currently unknown as rescue and firefighting operations continue.”

Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire had reached up to the fifth floor and firefighting efforts were ongoing. She added that the building, which also houses some corporate offices and shops, primarily serves as a storage and sales centre for clothing materials.

“There are no casualties reported at this time,” Adeseye said. Emergency officials have urged residents and passersby to stay clear of the area to allow rescue operations to proceed safely.