Afriland Fireplace Incident: Lagos explains the way it began, says victims died from smoke inhalation
The Lagos State Authorities has defined how Tuesday’s hearth incident at Afriland Tower on the Broad Road a part of Lagos Island began.
The state authorities, in its preliminary findings, revealed that the hearth began within the basement of the high-rise constructing the place emergency backup batteries had been saved.
This was made recognized by the Director-Basic of the Lagos State Security Fee, Lanre Mojola, throughout a joint press convention on Thursday, September 18, 2025, on the Bagauda Kaltho press centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos state.
Additionally in attendance on the press convention are the Lagos State Commissioner for Info and Technique, Gbenga Omotoso; Particular Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile; Director of the Lagos State Fireplace and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye; Director of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Dr Wuraola Makinde; and Director of Operations of the Lagos State Emergency Administration Company (LASEMA), Mr. Olatunde Akinsanya.
Mojola defined that the smoke unfold shortly by the air-conditioning ducts, inflicting panic amongst occupants and escalating the incident.
He identified that first responders arrived promptly on the venue of the hearth incident, including that the victims died of inhalation of smoke.
Reiterating the federal government’s proactive method, Mojola stated greater than 200 high-rise buildings throughout Lagos had already undergone hearth security certification in 2025.
He urged property house owners and facility managers to cooperate with regulatory businesses by registering their premises for routine security inspections.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Info and Technique, Gbenga Omotosho, on the press convention, stated the state authorities has launched a probe into the hearth incidents at Afriland Towers and Central Plaza on Lagos Island.
The federal government confirmed that there have been fatalities that occurred as a consequence of inhalation of smoke and never from hearth accidents, debunking insinuations that the Fireplace Service didn’t do sufficient to cease the blaze.
The federal government condoled with those that misplaced their family members within the incident.
Omotoso, who stated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered the probe, following misinformation in regards to the fires, urged individuals to shun rumors in regards to the unhappy incidents.
He stated the federal government, which commissioned 62 hearth vans in at some point final yr, wouldn’t relent in putting in modalities to make sure emergency responders perform their obligation promptly, effectively, and successfully.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s unwavering dedication to the safety of lives and property, stressing that the protection of lives is a vital facet of governance in Lagos, and the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration will proceed to spend money on security infrastructure.
Omotoso, on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the “ugly” incidents as “unlucky” and prolonged condolences to households and companies affected by the fires.
Additionally talking, the Director of the Lagos State Fireplace and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, stated her group arrived on the scene in lower than 20 minutes after receiving a misery name. She stated firefighters efficiently curtailed the unfold of the flames and rescued a number of trapped victims, regardless of operational challenges posed by crowd interference and visitors congestion.
She additionally confirmed that the Afriland Towers hearth began from the basement of the constructing, the place inverter batteries had been saved, and unfold to the opposite components of the constructing.
The Director of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Dr Wuraola Makinde, disclosed that emergency medical personnel had been instantly deployed, and lots of smoke inhalation sufferers acquired immediate remedy.
She stated no sufferer died of fireplace accidents, however as a consequence of inhalation of smoke, including that those that sustained accidents had been taken to the Basic Hospital in Lagos and handled without spending a dime. Three of them, she stated, had been discharged and reunited with their households.
The Afriland Tower hearth incident was reported on Tuesday, with the inferno affecting occupants throughout the constructing, forcing many to scramble for security.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as some individuals jumped from home windows onto cushions improvised by members of the general public, whereas others used ladders held by volunteers to descend safely.
The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, had earlier confirmed the loss of life of colleagues on account of the hearth incident, describing it as devastating and pledging assist for the bereaved households.
The Federal Inland Income Service (FIRS), who’ve an workplace on the Afriland Tower, additionally confirmed the loss of life of 4 of its employees from the hearth incident
The fireplace has sparked public concern over security requirements in high-rise buildings. Observers highlighted the hazards posed by insufficient emergency exits, lack of fireplace hydrants, and inadequate preparedness for emergency conditions. Many referred to as for stronger hearth security measures, correct evacuation routes, and common drills to forestall comparable tragedies.