Tinubu Reacts as 10 Lagosians Die in Afriland Towers Fire Incident
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives in the recent fire incident at Afriland Towers on Lagos Island
- Tinubu called for extra vigilance to avert fire disasters in Nigeria, while also commiserating with organisations like the FIRS and UBA
- The Lagos fire tragedy, which real cause is yet to be determined, led to the death of at least 10 individuals
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.
Lagos Island, Lagos state - President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the families of victims, United Capital, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the United Bank of Africa (UBA) over the fatal fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, Lagos.
Legit.ng had reported how Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial property on Lagos Island, was seriously affected by fire on Tuesday, September 16.
Source: Facebook
Afriland Properties Limited, managers of Afriland Towers, confirmed the blaze in a statement while media reports indicated that the death toll has reached 10, as of Thursday, September 18.
Friends and relatives mourned colleagues caught in the unfortunate occurence.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) said the fire began in the building’s basement inverter room before smoke spread quickly through several floors.
Videos posted online showed trapped occupants smashing windows for air. Some leapt onto foamy materials spread below, while others clung to ledges until ladders were raised for their escape. By late afternoon, firefighters reported that the blaze had been contained, although checks on the building continued into the evening.
Reacting to the tragedy via a statement by Bayo Onanuga, one of the presidential spokespersons, obtained by Legit.ng, President Tinubu extended his condolences to the management and staff of the affected establishments and those who lost loved ones. He also empathised with the injured individuals currently receiving medical attention.
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Breaking: Six more deaths confirmed in Afriland Towers fire incident as toll rises in Lagos
Source: Twitter
The presidential statement partly reads:
"The president commends the emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, first aiders, medical personnel, and members of the public, for their quick intervention and notes their deep sense of responsibility during the evacuation.
"President Tinubu advises more caution, training, and alertness to avert such emergencies in the future.
"The president prays that God Almighty will receive the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to the injured."
Legit.ng reports that Lagos is a major economic hub in Nigeria, and is home to around 17.5 to 21 million people.
Fires are common in Nigeria, where petrol and diesel powers electricity generators in homes and work places.
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Lagos fire: FIRS mourns staff
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the FIRS confirmed that four of its staff members lost their lives in the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers.
In a statement issued, Dare Adekanmbi, media aide to Zacch Adedeji, the FIRS chairman, said the deceased officers were carrying out their duties on the sixth and seventh floors when the incident occurred.
Source: Legit.ng
