Sunmonu Animashaun family calls for government’s assessment of ancestral home after fire incident in Lagos
The Sunmonu Animashaun family has called on Lagos State Government to conduct assessment of their ancestral home at number 45/47 Martins street, , Lagos Island and other adjoining buildings within the vicinity following massive fire incident which engulfed the buildings.
Penpushing reports that the family made the call in a statement jointly signed by Mr Rafiu Jawando(Acting Chairman, Board of Trustees) and Otunba Hakeem Oladipo Animashaun(Secretary, Board of Trustees) lamenting the high level of destruction caused by the inferno, which also affected Shitta-Bey Court also known as Great Nigeria House.
“It is with a heavy heart full of sadness and sorrow that we recall the horrifying and tragic fire incident which started on the 24th day of December 2025 at Shitta-Bey Court also known as Great Nigeria House. By the next day, the fire had spread to our family house (Agbole Animashaun) and other adjoining buildings within the vicinity. In its ferociousness it crossed over the road and completely razed down the Shitta-Bey mosque”, the statement reads.
Penpushing further reports that the statement said the impact of the fire in the environs has been massive, adding that 5 buildings belonging to different branches of the family were equally torched, stating that in order to curb the spread of the fire, officers and men of the fire service had to demolish a part of the Animashaun family house so as to provide more ventilation in order to be able to quell the fire.
“This demolition has substantially compromised the integrity of our family house in such a way that the safety of persons using the building couldn’t be guaranteed. Subsequently, the family is calling on the management of the Lagos State Building Control Agency to do an assessment of the building”, the statement stated.
“Also, the historic mosque, Animashaun Mosque, reputed to be the first mosque in which JUMAH service was held in the city of Lagos, was partially impacted by the fire. However, the mosque having been dilapidated due to neglect over the years, safety of occupants therein could also not be guaranteed.In that wise, the mosque management committee has been directed to stop all religious and commercial activities within and around the mosque until an integrity test is done on the mosque building”, the family wrote.
“The Sunmonu Animashaun Family sympathises with all residents, business concerns, traders and indeed all those who use the affected buildings.We pray that the Almighty Allah will turn this loss into gain and replenish the pockets of everyone directly or indirectly affected by the fire. While we also mourn those who are reported to have lost their lives in the incident. May the Almighty Allah give the family the fortitude to repair the irreparable loss”,it stated.
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