Two adult males, whose identities are yet to be confirmed, have been found dead amid the debris of the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island, following a devastating fire that engulfed the high-rise building on Thursday.

The bodies were recovered on Friday during ongoing search and rescue operations at the Marina axis, where the multi-storey structure suffered extensive damage.

The fire reportedly started on the fourth floor of the 25-storey building, spreading to the sixth floor and eventually consuming other levels as well as nearby structures.

During the blaze, a section of the building collapsed, leaving several traders trapped under the rubble. The fire also spread to adjacent properties, including the Old Lagos Central Mosque.

Attempts to obtain official confirmation from the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, were unsuccessful. However, a LASEMA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that two bodies had been recovered during the search for victims believed to be trapped.

“Two bodies were recovered today during the search exercise. The first was found at about 11:03 a.m., while the second was recovered around 12:03 p.m.,” the official stated.

Search, recovery, and safety operations are ongoing as emergency teams continue to account for all affected individuals and prevent further hazards.