At least 10 people have now been confirmed dead after the tragic fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The fresh confirmation came from United Capital Plc, which announced on Thursday that it lost six of its staff. This follows the earlier confirmation that four employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) also died in the inferno.
The blaze reportedly began around 1:30 pm on Tuesday in the inverter room in the basement, filling the high-rise with thick smoke.
Panic spread as workers scrambled for safety, with some attempting to jump from windows while rescuers fought to contain the disaster.
“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void,” United Capital said. The firm promised full support for the bereaved families and announced a memorial service in their honour.
Emergency Response and Casualties
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said nine persons were pulled out of the building alive, five revived, and four rushed to hospitals unconscious.
Doctors are still battling to save survivors across Lagos hospitals, including General Hospital Odan, St. Nicholas Hospital, and Avon Hospital. An unnamed state official confirmed seven of the victims died at these facilities.
Witnesses said the fire started with “thick black smoke erupting from underground beside the transformer” before flames spread. Rescue efforts were first led by UBA’s in-house fire team before state and federal firefighters arrived.
Two Fires, One District
The Afriland Towers inferno was one of two major blazes that shook Lagos Island on Tuesday. Hours later, another fire gutted Mandilas Market and adjoining plazas on Taiwo Street, destroying over 1,000 stalls and goods worth millions of naira.
Some traders managed to salvage their goods, but others watched their life’s work vanish. Witnesses blamed faulty wiring and unstable power supply. Disturbingly, reports of looting surfaced even as firefighters battled the blaze.
The tragedy has caused a moody atmosphere across Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu, through aides, offered condolences to the families of victims.
Also, billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu mourned UBA colleagues lost in the disaster, saying, “No words can capture the magnitude of this loss.”
Security operatives have since sealed off Afriland Towers, leaving the once-bustling glass building quiet and empty.
The fire adds to growing concerns over safety standards in Lagos’ ageing commercial high-rises, where faulty electrical systems and inverter-related accidents have become common (BBC, Reuters).
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