A devastating fire at a commercial high-rise in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital, has claimed at least ten lives and left 25 others injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, a seven-storey office complex that houses several companies and organizations.
Eyewitnesses and viral videos on social media showed desperate occupants leaping from the third and fourth floors to escape the flames. Many of the victims were commercial workers trapped inside the building as thick smoke spread rapidly, leaving them disoriented and unable to find safe exits. Survivors sustained burns, fractures from jumping, and cases of respiratory distress caused by smoke inhalation.
Chukwuemeka Eze, a trader who witnessed the tragedy, described the panic. “It was scary, some jumped from up there. Many people inside were so scared to jump down, we got a wooden ladder to assist them,” he told the BBC. The scene was chaotic as people smashed sealed glass windows to escape while others struggled to breathe inside the smoke-filled offices.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the fire originated in the building’s basement, where electrical and inverter equipment was installed. Investigators suspect poor maintenance and inadequate ventilation in the battery area led to overheating and combustion. The blaze, which burned for hours, produced thick, black smoke that engulfed the entire building.
LASEMA’s statement highlighted multiple safety lapses that worsened the disaster. It noted the absence of a mechanical smoke extraction system, non-functional public address systems, poor evacuation signage, and sealed windows that prevented proper ventilation. Even building and facility managers reportedly collapsed after inhaling smoke, leaving no safety wardens to coordinate evacuation.
Rescue teams eventually brought the fire under control, but not before significant damage had been done. Broken glass panels, charred debris, and personal belongings lay scattered outside the skyscraper as emergency workers searched for survivors and removed victims.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, expressed sadness over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He described the tragedy as “unfortunate” and called for improved safety measures in high-rise buildings across the country.
The Federal Fire Service confirmed it has launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on compliance with fire safety regulations, maintenance practices, and the functionality of emergency systems in the building. Authorities have pledged to publish their findings and implement recommendations to prevent a repeat of such a catastrophic event.
