At least ten people lost their lives and 25 others sustained injuries after a fierce fire tore through a high-rise office block in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub.
The blaze erupted on Tuesday inside the seven-storey Afriland Towers, forcing trapped workers to jump from upper floors in a desperate attempt to escape.
Videos shared online showed people leaping from the third and fourth floors as thick smoke engulfed the building. Most of the victims were commercial workers stationed inside the tower, which houses several companies and organisations in the city.
Survivors were rushed to hospitals with severe burns, broken bones and breathing difficulties caused by smoke inhalation.
Witnesses described a scene of panic as the fire spread rapidly.
Chukwuemeka Eze, a trader who was nearby, said: "It was scary, some jumped from up there, many people inside were so scared to jump down, we got a wooden ladder to assist them."
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema) said the fire began in the basement, where electrical equipment was located.
Preliminary findings point to overheating and combustion in the inverter battery area due to poor maintenance and inadequate ventilation.
In its statement, the agency said, "there was absence of mechanical smoke extraction systems, this allowed smoke to migrate unchecked.
The public address systems were not functioning and there was inadequate signage, this worsened the confusion". It added that sealed windows made escape harder, while building managers also collapsed from smoke inhalation, leaving no safety wardens to coordinate evacuation.
The fire raged for hours before responders brought it under control, but thick, black smoke had already filled most of the tower.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu described the tragedy as unfortunate and extended condolences to families of those who died.
The Federal Fire Service confirmed it has opened an inquiry to determine the root causes, focusing on the condition of safety systems, adherence to fire regulations, and maintenance standards. The service promised to release its findings and enforce all necessary recommendations.
