- Afriland Explains Why Workers Jumped From Tower as Fresh Details Emerge
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Smoke forced trapped workers to jump from upper floors.
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Tower shut for audit as safety, staff welfare assured.
Fresh details have emerged about the tragic fire outbreak that engulfed Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, last Tuesday, September 16, claiming at least 10 lives.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Afriland Properties Plc, owners of the building, confirmed in a statement that the blaze originated in the inverter room in the basement before spreading rapidly, filling the seven-storey building with thick smoke that trapped occupants. The skyscraper houses offices of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc (UCP).
According to Chukwunonso Okafor, Afriland’s Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, the fast-spreading smoke severely reduced visibility and blocked access to evacuation routes. “Under these challenging conditions, some occupants resorted to exiting through the windows in their efforts to reach safety,” the company said.
Afriland confirmed 10 fatalities, including FIRS and UCP staff. Four FIRS workers—George Faith Ekelikhostse, David Sunday-Jatto, Nkem Onyemelukwe, and Peter Ifaranmaye—lost their lives, while six UCP staff were identified as Jesutoni Shodipo (21), Opeyemi Oloyede (28), Kehinde Adeoye (36), Olumide Oyefodunrin (26), Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke (41), and Rebecca Adenuga (28). The company noted that most deaths were caused by smoke inhalation rather than burns.
On safety systems, Afriland insisted that fire alarms and emergency measures were active, though not all occupants reported hearing them. It also dismissed claims of delayed emergency response, stating that firefighters arrived within 20 minutes of the incident.
The company explained that Afriland Towers is fitted with two emergency staircases, multiple exit points, smoke extractors, fire reels, and extinguishers, with regular fire drills conducted under the supervision of fire services.
Addressing UBA’s earlier statement denying its headquarters were affected, Afriland said the clarification was issued to prevent confusion, noting that the bank later expressed sympathy.
The tower has been shut for a comprehensive safety audit, deep cleaning, and reconstruction. Afriland added that counselling, medical checks, and long-term support are being provided to affected staff, while the building remains fully insured.
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