Ten staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the United Capital Plc lost their lives in a widely reported fire at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The deaths have been confirmed in separate statements by the FIRS and United Capital Plc.
While FIRS said it lost four of its staff members, UCP, on the other hand, lost six staff to the incident.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, identified the victims as Mrs Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
The deceased were working on the sixth and seventh floors of the building, which houses two FIRS offices, when the tragedy occurred.
“It is with a heavy heart that FIRS announces the tragic loss of four of its staff members during the fire incident at Afriland Towers,” the statement read.
The agency said its Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are based on the affected floors.
It added that its Security and Safety officials quickly contacted the fire service when alerted, but thick smoke had already engulfed the building.
FIRS said its management and staff are in deep shock and have reached out to the families of the deceased, promising to provide all necessary support.
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“We are working in collaboration with all relevant agencies in Lagos to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident. While this is going on, we will be reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices in both rented and owned buildings nationwide,” the statement said.
The UCP also mourned the loss of its staff members, describing the fire victims as “an integral part” of “our company and family”.
“Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void,” the statement added.
Panic gripped Broad Street on Tuesday when smoke from the building’s basement forced evacuation.
Videos from the scene had captured frantic occupants jumping down in fear, while onlookers rushed with ladders and foamy materials for support.
Trapped workers smashed glass windows to breathe, while residents below stretched out their hands to catch them.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said that the fire originated in the inverter room located in Afriland Tower’s basement.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic moments, with screams echoing across Broad Street as smoke spread rapidly through the upper floors.
Photos from the incident also showed smoke billowing from upper floors, with some windows forced open for ventilation.
Several occupants crowded at windows and on ledges, escaping dense smoke that spread rapidly through the structure.
The fire service later confirmed the blaze, though smoke had already spread across several floors, engulfing the structure.
(Channels TV)
