Lagos high-rise fire claims 10 lives
At least 10 people have died, and 25 others have been injured in a devastating fire at the Afriland Towers in Lagos, Nigeria. The seven-story building, a commercial hub in the country’s economic capital, was engulfed in flames on Tuesday, trapping workers inside.
Videos shared on social media show desperate workers jumping from the building’s third and fourth floors as smoke and fire spread rapidly. The blaze left many victims with burns, fractures, and respiratory distress from inhaling smoke.
Poor safety measures contribute to disaster
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema) believes the fire started in the basement, where electrical equipment, including inverters and batteries, were improperly maintained. Poor ventilation, lack of mechanical smoke extraction systems, and faulty fire alarms contributed to the chaos.
One witness, Chukwuemeka Eze, described the scene: “Some jumped from up there. Many people were too scared to jump. We got a wooden ladder to assist them.”
The fire took several hours to extinguish, but the smoke quickly filled the building, making it difficult for many to escape. Lasema confirmed that the building’s sealed windows, coupled with disoriented occupants, made the situation even worse.
Response and investigation
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, calling the incident a tragedy. The Nigeria Federal Fire Service has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and whether safety regulations were followed.
Authorities have said the investigation will assess whether fire safety systems, such as emergency exits and alarms, were up to standard.
Increased concerns about building safety
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety in high-rise buildings across Lagos and Nigeria. While Afriland Towers housed multiple commercial offices, the lack of proper maintenance and safety measures has raised alarms about the readiness of other buildings in the city to handle emergencies.
With thousands of office buildings and residential towers in Lagos, the tragedy underscores the need for more stringent safety regulations to prevent future disasters.
