In the heart of Lagos Island’s bustling Broad Street, the Afriland Tower, home to the United Bank for Africa, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc, among others, turned into a death trap on Tuesday afternoon after a fire outbreak claimed 10 lives and left many others injured.
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The blaze, which started around 1pm in the basement inverter room, quickly spiraled out of control, filling multiple floors with suffocating smoke. Survivors described scenes of chaos as workers and visitors scrambled for safety.
Adewale, an office worker on the fifth floor, recounted how what seemed like a routine power outage turned into horror. “We just noticed the light tripped off, and it was taking unusually long to come back on. Suddenly, thick smoke filled the building. I soaked my tie in water and used it as a mask. I could barely see, but by God’s grace, I followed someone until we reached the ground floor,” he said after receiving treatment for smoke inhalation.
Another survivor, Kachi, said visibility collapsed within minutes. “I almost passed out because I couldn’t breathe. People were struggling to escape through broken windows. I only survived by God’s mercy.”
Hospitals including Avon Medical Centre, Lagos Island General Hospital, and St. Nicholas Hospital confirmed admitting several victims.
The tragedy cut short the lives of four FIRS staff: George Faith Ekelikhostse (58), David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager). Families and colleagues paid emotional tributes, describing them as dedicated officers and devoted parents.
United Capital Plc also lost six employees across different departments, including Jesutoni Shodipo (21), Opeyemi Oloyede (28), Kehinde Adeoye (36), Olumide Oyefodunrin (26), Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke (41), and Rebecca Adenuga (28). Friends and relatives flooded social media with grief-stricken messages. Oyefodunrin was buried on Friday, a day after what would have been his birthday.
A nursing mother, Kehinde Adeoye, who had only recently returned from maternity leave, was also among the deceased. “She was my personal person. We used to ride together to work. I’m glad she died in Christ,” wrote a close friend in tribute.
Eyewitnesses and first responders blamed the tragedy on poor safety measures and negligence. They alleged that the inverter had been faulty for months, while the building’s emergency alarm and exits were either malfunctioning or blocked during renovations.
A trader, Omolara Ogunsola, said: “The last time there was a fire, people escaped through the staircase. That staircase was later blocked. This time, people were trapped, and now families are mourning.”
First responder Fasasi Adeniyi said the inverter had exploded multiple times in the past. “They knew it was faulty but kept repairing it. A pregnant woman even called her parents while trapped, saying she couldn’t get out because there was no emergency exit. That was the last they heard from her.”
Survivors eventually escaped after rescuers and bystanders smashed glass windows. Some workers climbed down using ropes as thick smoke engulfed the building.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the incident as a painful tragedy, urging greater caution and preparedness to prevent future disasters. First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu also extended condolences, praying for the families of the deceased and quick recovery for survivors.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while mourning the victims, ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. “This tragedy is unfortunate and shocking. We must get to the root of what happened,” he said, while commending emergency responders for their efforts.
For grieving families, however, the probe may bring little comfort. As one mourner put it, “They left home for work and never returned. From offices to mortuaries, in just a few hours, lives were cut short. This pain will not be forgotten.”
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