Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed deep sorrow over the fire outbreak that occurred at the Great Nigeria House in Balogun, Lagos, describing the incident as a painful tragedy.

In a post issued via his official X handle on Thursday, 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 on Wednesday for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, noting that the extent of the loss could not be fully conveyed through written reports alone.

He said, “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 relevant agencies for their swift intervention and commitment in controlling the inferno.

“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,” he said.

Assuring affected persons of government support, Sanwo-Olu stated that the state would continue to evaluate the situation and respond appropriately.

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.”

PUNCH Online had reported that a fire outbreak gutted the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, causing extensive damage to the building.

The incident, which occurred on Christmas Eve at approximately 5 p.m., was reported to have started on the fourth floor of the high-rise structure before spreading rapidly to other floors.

The inferno also spread to nearby buildings, affecting several surrounding structures, including the seven-storey Radio Nigeria building, the popular Oluwole Plaza, a mosque, and other adjoining properties.

Emergency responders, comprising officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Fire Service, battled the blaze for more than 10 hours, as the fire continued to burn into the early hours of Christmas Day.