Tragedy struck on Tuesday when a fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, claimed the lives of at least ten people, including staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc.
The inferno, which reportedly started from the inverter room in the basement of the high-rise, quickly spread, filling upper floors with thick smoke that trapped many occupants before emergency responders arrived.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service confirmed the death of four senior staff members identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
United Capital Plc, which operates from the third and fourth floors of the building, also announced the loss of six of its employees in the incident.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, supported by the Federal Fire Service and other agencies, evacuated at least nine persons, with five successfully resuscitated. Several others sustained injuries or escaped unharmed.
In separate condolence messages, both FIRS and United Capital described the deaths as a monumental loss, pledging to support the bereaved families while reviewing safety measures across their offices.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, with preliminary findings pointing to the inverter room as the likely source of the fire.
