Afriland Towers fire on Broad Street, Lagos, left 10 dead and raised questions on safety standards. Afriland explains the cause, response, and support plans for victims’ families
Inside Afriland Towers Fire: Cause, Casualties, Emergency Response, and Next Steps
A tragic fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, has left 10 people dead and sparked heated debates over safety standards, emergency response, and conflicting reports on the incident.
While speculation spread rapidly on social media, Afriland Properties Plc, the facility manager, has provided a detailed account of the fire, its cause, casualties, and the measures being taken in its aftermath.
Cause of the Fire
According to Afriland, the fire began in the inverter room located in the basement of the Towers. Despite safety systems being activated, thick smoke and intense heat quickly spread upward, making containment extremely difficult.
Escape Struggles and Alarms
Occupants struggled to escape as smoke blocked designated evacuation routes. Some resorted to breaking windows or leaping through them in desperate attempts to survive.
Afriland confirmed the building’s alarms went off, though some occupants claimed they did not hear them — a discrepancy now under investigation.
Response Time
Afriland clarified that contrary to social media claims of a morning fire, the outbreak occurred at 1:20pm. Fire marshals immediately activated internal protocols, with fire trucks and ambulances arriving about 20 minutes later.
Casualties
Ten fatalities were confirmed, including staff of United Capital Plc and officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Afriland said the victims died mainly from smoke inhalation, not burns or building collapse.
UBA’s Role
Early reports suggested that UBA’s head office was on fire. Afriland explained that UBA’s first statement was aimed at preventing emergency services from being misdirected, before later issuing clarifications and sympathy messages.
Support for Families & Staff
Afriland expressed condolences and pledged to support affected families with both emotional and practical assistance. The Towers will remain closed pending safety, structural, and regulatory reviews. Staff are receiving counselling, flexible work arrangements, and medical evaluations.
Safety and Future Steps
The company stressed that Afriland Towers is fitted with certified safety equipment and undergoes annual inspections. However, it admitted that the incident revealed painful lessons, prompting a comprehensive safety review across all its managed facilities.
The Towers will remain shut until post-fire cleaning, safety audits, and necessary upgrades are complete. Afriland also confirmed the building is insured, with claims pending the official investigation report.
“This incident has offered valuable lessons that will not only strengthen our practices but also guide other property managers in safeguarding lives,” Afriland said in its statement. Read More
