GNI Lagos fire: Death toll hits 10 as recovery operations continue

Scene of the GNI Lagos fire incident

The death toll from the fire that gutted the Great Nigeria Building in the Balogun Market area of Lagos Island, Lagos State, has risen from eight to 10, as two more bodies were recovered from the scene of the incident.

PUNCH Metro earlier reported that the fire incident, which occurred on Wednesday, December 24, started on the fourth floor and spread to the sixth floor of the 25-storey building before engulfing the remaining floors and adjoining structures.

A detached section of the plaza, estimated to be about seven floors high, collapsed during the inferno, trapping traders and market assistants.

Emergency responders at the scene rescued seven individuals shortly after the collapse, while eight bodies were recovered from the rubble during rescue and recovery operations days after the incident.

Our correspondent, however, gathered from a source at the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services on Sunday that two more bodies were recovered between Sunday, January 4, and Monday, January 5.

“As the recovery operations progressed, two more bodies were recovered from the rubble between Sunday and Monday last week, and they were immediately taken to the mortuary,” the source disclosed.

Another source at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, who requested anonymity as he was not permitted to speak to the press, said the agency would likely reach ground zero this week. Punch