The Lagos State Government has constituted a Technical Recovery and Demolition Committee to oversee the controlled demolition of the 23-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building in Lagos ravaged by fire.

Daily Trust reports that emergency and recovery operations continue at the site of the disaster which has been cordoned off since last week.

Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the decision following a second on-site assessment of the scene, undertaken in response to the scale of destruction caused by the inferno and the growing concern over the structural integrity of the building.

Controller General of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in an update on the incident said the committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations and has been mandated to develop and implement a carefully sequenced demolition and recovery plan that prioritises public safety, the protection of emergency responders and the safety of adjoining structures.

She explained that the demolition would be carried out in line with global best practices for post-fire structural collapse management, noting that the building has been rendered structurally unsafe and unfit for any form of use.

Officials stressed that the process would not be rushed, given the delicate condition of the structure and the risks involved in debris removal.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed that it remains fully deployed at the site alongside other emergency and safety agencies.

She reiterated that the incident scene remains highly sensitive and volatile, with substantial rubble still embedded within the collapsed sections of the building.

The fire service further said intermittent pockets of fire are still being recorded, largely from combustible materials such as textiles and clothing that were heavily stockpiled within the building prior to the incident.

She clarified that the residual fires are not emanating from the structural elements of the building and do not pose an immediate threat to the surrounding community. However, officials warned that improper or hurried disturbance of the debris could destabilise the weakened structure and trigger a partial or total collapse, potentially endangering first responders and nearby properties.

Authorities explained that the fire has significantly compromised the building’s foundation, with some rubble currently providing unintended structural support.

As a result, debris removal and demolition must follow a carefully engineered sequence, guided by technical experts and safety professionals.

The government further noted that disaster response operations of this nature often take days, weeks or even months to fully conclude.

In the interest of public safety, she added that the state government has maintained the closure of the market and surrounding areas, declaring the entire vicinity unsafe for commercial or public activities.

Security and emergency personnel have continued to enforce a restricted perimeter around the site, allowing access only to authorised responders. An information centre has also been established at the location to provide updates and respond to enquiries from affected families, traders, stakeholders and members of the public.

On casualties, the statement confirmed that eight fatalities have been recorded from the incident, with five of the victims identified and three yet to be identified.

13 persons were rescued alive during the emergency response, while search operations are still ongoing in safer sections of the debris to ensure that no individual remains trapped beneath the rubble.

Preliminary investigations by emergency and safety officials revealed widespread fire safety violations within the building.

These include the overstocking of highly combustible materials from floor to ceiling with little or no ventilation, the absence of functional fire safety infrastructure, and unsafe market practices. Officials cited the use of generators within enclosed spaces, shops constructed around electrical transformers and other hazardous activities as contributing risk factors that could lead to excessive heat build-up and spontaneous ignition.

The fire service while placing the incident within a broader global context, explained that similar large-scale fire disasters around the world have required extended recovery and demolition timelines.

The Controller made reference to the World Trade Center fire incident in New York, where firefighting and recovery operations lasted several months due to underground fires and complex structural challenges.

Reassuring residents, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said all actions being taken at the GNI building site are deliberate, professional and driven by safety considerations.

The Service reiterated that operations would continue until ground zero is fully reached, all risks are eliminated and the incident is conclusively resolved, urging Lagosians to remain patient, calm and cooperative throughout the recovery process. (Daily Trust)