ABUJA, Sept 20 (The African Portal) – At least 10 people have died and many more were injured after a fire engulfed the Afriland Tower on Broad Street in Lagos Island.
The seven-storey building, home to offices of the United Bank for Africa, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc, turned into what survivors described as a “death trap” on Tuesday afternoon.
The blaze began around 13:00 local time in the basement inverter room and quickly spread, filling the tower with thick smoke.
Adewale, an office worker on the fifth floor, said the fire began after a power outage that lasted longer than usual.
“Everybody became apprehensive, and suddenly we started seeing thick smoke. That was when everybody started running,” he told Saturday Punch outside a hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation.
He described how he soaked his tie in water to use as a makeshift mask before escaping through the smoke-filled corridors.
“I think it was just the grace of God that I was able to come out,” he said.
Kachi, who worked on the second floor, recalled returning to alert colleagues only to find the entire area shrouded in smoke.
“I almost passed out because I couldn’t breathe,” he said. “People started struggling to pass through the window. How I came out was only God.”
Hospitals across Lagos, including Avon Medical, Lagos Island General, and St Nicholas, admitted victims for treatment. Officials said most have since been discharged.
Tributes to the dead
The FIRS confirmed that four of its staff were among the dead: Assistant Directors George Faith Ekelikhostse and David Sunday-Jatto, Senior Manager Nkem Onyemelukwe, and Manager Peter Ifaranmaye.
United Capital Plc also lost six staff members, including Jesutoni Shodipo, Opeyemi Oloyede, Kehinde Adeoye, Olumide Oyefodunrin, Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke, and Rebecca Adenuga.
Colleagues and relatives took to social media to pay tribute, describing the victims as “kind”, “humble” and “dedicated”.
Emergency concerns
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze originated in the basement and spread rapidly. But questions have been raised about the building’s safety standards.
A trader, Omolara Ogunsola, alleged that a key emergency staircase was blocked during renovation works.
“The last time there was a fire incident here, everyone escaped through the step. When they blocked it, I wondered how people would get out in the next emergency. Now we have seen the result,” she said.
Authorities say investigations into the cause of the fire and possible safety lapses are under way.
Credit: Punch
