At least ten people have died and 25 others injured after a fire broke out in a high-rise building in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. Videos on social media on Tuesday showed occupants of the seven-storey Afriland Towers jumping out of the third and fourth floors when the fire started. The victims were commercial workers who were trapped inside the building, which hosts most commercial companies and organizations in the city. Most survivors suffered burns and fractures while trying to escape, with others experiencing respiratory distress from smoke inhalation.
Authorities say the occupants became disoriented due to rapid smoke spread and lack of clear evacuation guidance, leading desperate occupants to break windows to jump, which resulted in severe trauma. Chukwuemeka Eze, a trader who witnessed the incident, described the scene as scary. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema) stated that the fire, which lasted for hours, initiated from the basement where electrical equipment was installed. Authorities suspect poor maintenance and inadequate ventilation led to overheating and combustion. Lasema emphasized the absence of effective smoke extraction systems and non-functional public address systems contributed to the confusion.
Lagos' Governor, Bola Tinubu, called the incident unfortunate and expressed sympathies to the victims' families. The Nigeria Federal Fire Service has begun an investigation into the causes, focusing on safety systems, maintenance practices, and adherence to fire safety regulations. Recommendations from the findings will be implemented to enhance building safety.
Authorities say the occupants became disoriented due to rapid smoke spread and lack of clear evacuation guidance, leading desperate occupants to break windows to jump, which resulted in severe trauma. Chukwuemeka Eze, a trader who witnessed the incident, described the scene as scary. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema) stated that the fire, which lasted for hours, initiated from the basement where electrical equipment was installed. Authorities suspect poor maintenance and inadequate ventilation led to overheating and combustion. Lasema emphasized the absence of effective smoke extraction systems and non-functional public address systems contributed to the confusion.
Lagos' Governor, Bola Tinubu, called the incident unfortunate and expressed sympathies to the victims' families. The Nigeria Federal Fire Service has begun an investigation into the causes, focusing on safety systems, maintenance practices, and adherence to fire safety regulations. Recommendations from the findings will be implemented to enhance building safety.
