Afriland: Death toll rises to 10 in Lagos fire
The death toll from the devastating fire at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, has risen to 10, with six employees of United Capital Plc confirmed among the victims.
The inferno, which broke out on Tuesday, 16 September, was said to have started in the inverter room located in the basement of the six-storey commercial complex at around 1:30 p.m. Panic spread quickly as thick smoke engulfed the building, forcing some occupants into desperate escape attempts through windows while firefighters battled the flames.
In a statement on Thursday morning, United Capital Plc confirmed the loss of six of its staff, who worked on the third and fourth floors of the building.
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“It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers,” the company said, adding that plans are underway for a memorial service.
Just hours earlier, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) also disclosed that four of its senior staff members had died in the fire, bringing the confirmed number of casualties to 10.
Emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, managed to rescue nine people. Five of them were revived, while four remained unconscious.
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“The incident saw a total of nine victims rescued. Five were successfully resuscitated, while efforts are ongoing to revive the remaining four,” the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said.
Although official casualty figures from emergency agencies are still pending, eyewitnesses and company insiders earlier suggested that “not everyone made it out alive.”
Efforts to reach the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency for updates proved unsuccessful as of press time.
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