10 Months After Great Nigeria House Fire On Lagos Island, Victims Appeal To Sanwo-Olu For Support

KINSLEY EBERE 

Almost ten months after the devastating fire incident that gutted the Great Nigeria House on Lagos Island, victims and families of those allegedly affected have appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for intervention and support.

The victims said life has become difficult since the inferno, alleging that they have not received relief or compensation since the incident occurred.

The Christmas Eve Inferno At Balogun

The fire incident was reported to have occurred on December 24, 2025, at about 4:40 p.m., at the Great Nigeria House located within Balogun Market on Lagos Island, Lagos State.

The building, which housed several shops, warehouses and offices, was said to have been engulfed by fire, which spread rapidly to different floors.

Emergency responders, including officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service, were mobilised to the scene to contain the fire.

According to eyewitness accounts, emergency teams faced challenges with access and water supply due to the congested nature of the market and the height of the building. Pockets of fire were said to have continued for several days after the initial incident.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) was said to have later visited the site for structural assessment.

Alleged Human And Economic Toll

Initial reports after the fire had suggested that no lives were lost. However, victims who spoke to http://P.M.EXPRESS alleged that the reality was different.

According to them, after days of search and rescue operations, several persons allegedly lost their lives, while others allegedly sustained burns and smoke inhalation injuries.

http://P.M.EXPRESS could not independently confirm the exact casualty figures as of press time.

Economically, traders said the loss was massive. Importers, retailers and online vendors who had reportedly stocked goods for the Christmas and New Year sales season alleged that they lost goods worth millions of naira in the inferno. Some traders said their shops were completely razed.

“We Are Dying” – Victims Appeal For Help

Speaking with http://P.M.EXPRESS, some of the alleged victims appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to come to their aid.

According to one of the victims, who said he lost his shop and his brother in the incident, life has been unbearable for his family since the fire.

“It is almost one year now and we have not received any help. Our children are out of school, we have no capital to start again, and families of those who allegedly died are suffering,” the victim alleged.

Another trader, who claimed to have lost goods in the fire, appealed for government support, citing similar incidents in Lagos where victims allegedly received assistance.

“We saw what happened in Dosunmu Market. Those victims were reportedly compensated by the government. We are begging Governor Sanwo-Olu to remember us. We are dying,” the trader said.

The victims said they are appealing for relief funds, business support and assistance for families of those who allegedly lost their lives in the incident.

Government Yet To Make Official Statement

As of press time, http://P.M.EXPRESS has not seen any official statement from the Lagos State Government regarding compensation or rehabilitation for the alleged victims of the Great Nigeria House fire.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Lagos State Government were ongoing at the time of filing this report.

Stakeholders in Balogun Market said they are hopeful that the Lagos State Government will intervene to alleviate the hardship allegedly being faced by traders and families affected by the inferno.

http://P.M.EXPRESS will continue to monitor developments regarding the incident.