Two adult males have been recovered dead from the rubble of the Great Nigeria Insurance House Plaza following a major fire outbreak in the Balogun Market area of Lagos Island.
The fire reportedly started on the fourth floor of the 25-storey building and spread rapidly to other floors, eventually affecting adjoining structures. During the incident, a detached section of the plaza collapsed, trapping several traders.
Officials involved in ongoing search and rescue operations confirmed that the two bodies were recovered on Friday while efforts to locate other trapped persons continued. The identities of the deceased have not yet been officially confirmed.
Traders at the market said one of the victims was a market assistant who was helping to evacuate goods when the collapse occurred. Concerns remain that more people may still be trapped beneath the rubble, as some traders were reportedly inside the affected area when the structure gave way.
Emergency responders continue to search the site, while affected areas have been secured to allow rescue operations to proceed safely.
Authorities have yet to release a detailed statement on the incident. Meanwhile, traders and residents have renewed calls for improved safety measures, as fire outbreaks remain a recurring challenge in markets across Lagos Island.
