Buildings Around GNI Compromised, Must Be Evacuated, Says Lagos Govt
The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents and businesses around the burnt Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building.
It warned that several surrounding structures have been structurally compromised and pose serious risks to lives and property.
The government said experts deployed to assess the scene of the fire strongly advised that all buildings within a 100-metre radius of the affected site must be evacuated.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the evacuation order follows Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive aimed at preventing loss of lives and property in the area.
He expressed concern that despite the danger, some shop owners have continued to breach the restricted “no-movement” zone created around the fire scene.
The state government warned that breaking into the cordoned area is extremely dangerous and would no longer be tolerated.
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“The Government sent in experts who evaluated the site of the fire and warned strongly against the inherent danger to lives and property of residents and businesses within 100 meters radius of the site.
“Several buildings around the scene of fire are compromised and must be evacuated, according to experts.
“Shop owners are breaking into the no movement barrier zone created at the perimeter of the scene of fire. This is dangerous and must stop,” Omotoso said in a statement on Tuesday.
The 25-storey building, used primarily as a warehouse for clothing materials as well as offices, and shops, was gutted by fire on December 24.
Preliminary findings indicated that it originated from an apartment on the fourth floor before spreading to higher floors.
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THE WHISTLER reports that so far, emergency responders have recovered three bodies from the rubble of the building, located on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the development in a situation report issued on Saturday.
According to the agency, the bodies were recovered by its response teams during ongoing operations at the site of the incident.
The deceased include one adult female and two adult males recovered from within the collapsed sections of the building.
