A devastating fire engulfed Afriland Towers, a seven-storey commercial building in Lagos, Nigeria, leaving at least 10 people dead and 25 others injured. The blaze broke out on Tuesday, prompting harrowing scenes as trapped occupants leapt from upper floors in a desperate bid to escape.
Social media footage captured the chaos, showing individuals jumping from the third and fourth floors. Most of the victims were office workers caught inside the building, which houses numerous businesses and organizations.
Survivors sustained a range of injuries, including severe burns, fractures, and respiratory complications from smoke inhalation. Emergency officials say the rapid spread of smoke and lack of evacuation guidance led to panic, with many breaking windows to escape resulting in traumatic injuries.
Eyewitness Chukwuemeka Eze, a local trader, described the scene to the BBC: “It was scary. Some jumped from up there. Many people inside were too afraid to jump, so we brought a wooden ladder to help them.”
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema), the fire originated in the basement, where electrical equipment was installed. Investigators suspect poor maintenance and inadequate ventilation in the inverter battery area triggered overheating and combustion.
Lasema’s statement highlighted multiple safety failures: no mechanical smoke extraction systems, non-functional public address systems, and insufficient signage all of which worsened the confusion. The building’s sealed windows and the incapacitation of facility managers due to smoke inhalation left no one in charge during the crisis.
Though the fire was eventually extinguished, thick black smoke had already spread throughout the structure.
President Bola Tinubu expressed sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the victims. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Federal Fire Service has launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on safety protocols, maintenance standards, and regulatory compliance. Officials have pledged to release the findings publicly and implement all recommended measures.
