The Lagos State Government has confirmed a tragic increase in the number of lives lost in the devastating fire that engulfed the 25-storey Greater Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Lagos Island.
Official Update on Casualties
The death toll has now risen to six, according to the latest statement from the state's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. He provided the somber details via a social media update on December 31, 2025.
Commissioner Omotoso reported that 13 people sustained injuries in the incident. Of these, eight males, including one firefighter, were taken to the hospital for treatment. Five other individuals—three males and two females—received first aid at the scene for minor injuries and were subsequently released.
Recovery of Victims and Scene Details
The commissioner's breakdown revealed the grim reality of the rescue operation. One adult female was extricated dead from the collapsed structure and handed over to her husband. Two adult males were also recovered deceased.
In a particularly harrowing detail, the update confirmed that three persons were burnt beyond recognition in the inferno, underscoring the fire's intensity.
Origin and Impact of the Blaze
The catastrophic fire began on December 24, 2025, originating on the building's fourth floor before rapidly spreading through the high-rise. The fast-moving flames caused extensive damage, destroying goods valued at millions of naira and displacing numerous traders who operated within the commercial building.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Lagos Island business community, highlighting urgent concerns about fire safety in the densely populated commercial district. The state government's update provides a clearer, yet more tragic, picture of the human cost of the disaster as investigations into its cause continue.
