The Great Nigeria House, a 15-storey building, situated along Martins Street, off Balogun, on the Marina, Lagos Island is engulfed in fire.

According to the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, the fire started at 6:30 am, when fire fighters from Onikan Fire Station responded.

Eyewitness said that the fire started on the 1st floor of the building with many traders and neighbours worried about it spreading to other buildings and trying to salvage their goods. However, the fire fighters were successful in preventing its spread to other buildings around the skyscraper.

The fire, whose cause is not yet known, halted all commercial activities in the popular Balogun market, but no life was lost as the building housing many offices had not opened for business when the fire started.

Although the activities of the firemen was hampered due to lack of adequate access to the building, the Federal Fire Service has been commended for their quick response as they are still battling to put out the fire.

Traders have been advised to vacate the neighbouring buildings.