Lagos fire: Anguish grows as rescue hits day six

File: Lagos fire

Relatives of victims trapped under the rubble of the Great Nigeria Insurance Building, gutted by fire on Wednesday in the Balogun Market area of Lagos Island, Lagos State, have called for increased assistance as search-and-rescue operations entered the sixth day.

PUNCH Metro reported that the fire 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 at about seven floors, however, collapsed during the inferno, trapping some traders and market assistants.

While thirteen individuals were rescued shortly after the structure collapsed, three bodies were recovered from the rubble on Friday. Among the dead was a China-based clothier identified simply as Obum.

Our correspondent, however, gathered on Sunday that no fewer than 20 individuals were still trapped under the rubble.

Relatives who spoke to PUNCH Metro in separate interviews also provided names and photographs of their affected loved ones.

The victims include Elo Chukwu, Omeigbo Chuwuebuka, Omeigbo Chukwudubem, Kayode Omoniyi, Ikechukwudi Asobi, and Murphy Aborinwa. Punch