The tragic fire that engulfed the eight-storey Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, has claimed the lives of 10 individuals, with reports of workers jumping from upper floors to escape the flames. Afriland Properties Plc, the owner of the tower, has since explained the sequence of events leading up to the fatalities.
In a statement released by Chukwunonso Okafor, the Head of Brand, Marketing, and Corporate Communications, Afriland confirmed that the fire originated in the basement’s inverter room, rapidly spreading smoke throughout the building. The thick smoke severely compromised visibility, trapping workers and forcing some to leap from windows in a desperate attempt to escape.
“The smoke spread rapidly throughout the building, severely compromising visibility and restricting access to designated evacuation routes. Under these challenging conditions, some occupants resorted to exiting through the windows in their efforts to reach safety,” Okafor stated. The tragic outcome saw casualties, mainly from the United Capital Plc (UCP) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), with smoke inhalation being the primary cause of death.
Among the deceased were four FIRS staff members—George Faith Ekelikhostse, David Sunday-Jatto, Nkem Onyemelukwe, and Peter Ifaranmaye. From UCP, three young workers—Jesutoni Shodipo, Opeyemi Oloyede, and Kehinde Adeoye—were confirmed dead, along with others identified as Olumide Oyefodunrin, Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke, and Rebecca Adenuga.
Although the building was equipped with fire safety systems, Afriland clarified that not all workers heard the fire alarms when they were triggered. Some occupants, however, reported hearing them but could not escape due to smoke blockage. The building had two emergency staircases, multiple exits, and was fully compliant with fire safety regulations. Regular fire drills and safety protocols were in place, including annual training for fire wardens.
Despite the incident, the company has insisted that the tower would undergo thorough safety audits before it is reopened. A statement emphasized that the building was insured, and the welfare of the staff remains a top priority. Afriland has promised medical checks, counselling, and long-term support for grieving employees.
The company also refuted claims that emergency responders took more than three hours to arrive, stating that first responders were on-site within 20 minutes. Nevertheless, the company has pledged to conduct an in-depth review of all its facilities, with additional safety measures to be introduced to prevent future incidents.
