Tragedy was narrowly averted on Tuesday after a massive fire engulfed Afriland Tower, a multi-storey commercial building situated on Broad Street, Lagos Island, one of the city’s busiest business corridors. The incident, which sent shockwaves across the metropolis, left traders, workers, and passersby in panic as emergency responders raced against time to contain the inferno and rescue trapped victims.
According to an official statement by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, a total of nine persons were successfully rescued from the blazing structure, while five others, who had collapsed due to smoke inhalation and exhaustion, were revived on the scene by paramedics. Swift intervention from fire officials, supported by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Nigeria Police, was credited with preventing what could have been a catastrophic loss of lives.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the upper floors of the building as occupants screamed for help. Traders frantically attempted to salvage their goods, while security operatives battled to control the surging crowd.
“I was on the third floor when the fire started,” one survivor recounted, visibly shaken. “People were shouting and running everywhere. We were trapped, but thank God the fire service came on time. I thought I wasn’t going to make it.”
Authorities confirmed that the fire, which reportedly broke out in one of the offices, spread rapidly through the building, which houses several businesses, including banks, corporate offices, and retail outlets. While the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, preliminary reports suggest it may have been triggered by an electrical fault.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in a press briefing, assured the public that the situation was under control, noting that multiple fire trucks and emergency units were deployed to the scene. They also emphasized the importance of routine fire drills and safety checks in high-rise buildings, especially in commercial hubs like Lagos Island.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was briefed on the incident, commended the bravery of the rescue teams and promised that the state government would conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak. He further reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening fire safety measures across Lagos.
Meanwhile, business owners in Afriland Tower have begun counting their losses, with millions of naira worth of goods and property reportedly destroyed in the blaze. Many expressed frustration at the recurring incidents of fire on Lagos Island, often worsened by poor infrastructure and lax adherence to safety regulations.
Social media has been awash with videos and images of the incident, with many Nigerians applauding the swift rescue of victims while also calling on government agencies to step up enforcement of building safety codes.
Though no fatalities have been officially recorded, the incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for improved fire safety awareness, strict regulatory oversight, and better emergency preparedness in Lagos’s high-density commercial districts.
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