A devastating fire at the Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island, has claimed 10 lives and left several others injured, turning the seven-storey glass building into a death trap on Tuesday afternoon.
The blaze, which began in the inverter room in the basement around 1pm, quickly filled the tower with thick smoke, trapping workers and visitors. The building houses offices of the United Bank for Africa, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc.
Survivors described harrowing scenes as visibility dropped to zero. Adewale, a worker on the fifth floor, said he used his tie as a makeshift mask while stumbling through the smoke. “It was just God’s grace that I made it out,” he told Saturday PUNCH.
Kachi, another survivor, said many workers struggled to breathe as they smashed windows in desperation. “I almost passed out because I couldn’t breathe. People were shouting and trying to climb through windows. Only God saved us,” he recalled.
Hospitals including Avon Medical in Surulere, Lagos Island General Hospital, and St. Nicholas Hospital treated several victims of smoke inhalation.
The FIRS lost four staff members — Assistant Directors George Faith Ekelikhostse (58) and David Sunday-Jatto, Senior Manager Nkem Onyemelukwe (55), and Manager Peter Ifaranmaye (48). Colleagues described them as dedicated officers, with Sunday-Jatto fondly remembered as “Daddy Nicole.”
United Capital Plc also lost six workers, including Jesutoni Shodipo (21), Opeyemi Oloyede (28), Kehinde Adeoye (36), Olumide Oyefodunrin (26), Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke (41), and Rebecca Adenuga (28). Tributes poured in on social media, with friends mourning Oyefodunrin, who died a day before his birthday, and Adeoye, a young mother who had just returned from maternity leave.
First responders and eyewitnesses blamed faulty safety systems. Traders alleged the building’s emergency alarm failed, and a vital staircase had been blocked during renovations.
“The last time there was a fire here, everyone escaped through that staircase. This time it was blocked,” said Omolara Ogunsola, a regular visitor.
Rescuers also claimed the inverter had shown repeated faults in recent weeks. “They kept repairing it instead of replacing it. This was avoidable,” said Fasasi Adeniyi, a first responder.
Some survivors escaped only after smashing sealed glass walls, while others reportedly jumped from upper floors. One pregnant woman trapped inside was confirmed dead, her last phone call to relatives made moments before she succumbed.
President Bola Tinubu described the incident as a “painful tragedy,” urging greater vigilance to prevent similar disasters. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu prayed for the repose of the deceased and comfort for the bereaved families.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called the fire “unfortunate and shocking” and ordered an immediate probe into the incident. He also commended emergency responders and ordinary Lagosians who risked their lives to help victims escape.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the blaze started in the inverter room before spreading. Officials said investigations would determine whether safety lapses contributed to the high death toll.
