By peterside Rejoice
The Sunmonu Animashaun Family has sympathised with residents, traders and business owners affected by a devastating fire outbreak on Lagos Island and has called for an integrity assessment of the affected buildings by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
The family made the call in a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by Mr Rafiu Jawando, Acting Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Otunba Hakeem Oladipo Animashaun, Secretary, Board of Trustees.
The statement recalled that the fire incident, which started on December 24, 2025, at Shitta Bey Court, also known as Great Nigeria House, spread the following day to the family house known as Agbole Animashaun and other adjoining buildings in the area.
According to the family, the inferno later crossed the road and completely razed the Shitta Bey Mosque.
It said the impact of the fire was extensive, noting that five buildings belonging to different branches of the family were affected by the incident.
The statement added that officers of the fire service were compelled to demolish part of the Animashaun Family House to prevent the spread of the fire and allow ventilation to effectively combat the blaze.
It explained that the demolition significantly compromised the structural integrity of the building, making it unsafe for occupants.
Consequently, the family called on the management of the Lagos State Building Control Agency to conduct an urgent assessment of the building to determine its safety.
The family also disclosed that the historic Animashaun Mosque, reputed to be the first mosque where Juma’at prayers were held in Lagos, was partially affected by the fire.
It noted that the mosque, already in a dilapidated condition due to years of neglect, could no longer guarantee the safety of worshippers.
As a result, the family said the mosque management committee had been directed to suspend all religious and commercial activities within and around the mosque pending the outcome of an integrity test.
The family expressed sympathy with all residents, traders and business owners affected by the incident.
“We pray that Almighty Allah turns this loss into gain and replenishes the resources of all those directly or indirectly affected,” the statement said.
It also condoled families of those reported to have lost their lives in the incident, praying that Allah grants them the strength to bear the loss. (NAN)
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