Afriland Confirms 10 Deaths in Lagos Tower Fire, Pledges Safety Review

Afriland Properties Plc has confirmed that ten people died in the fire that broke out at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, while offering clarifications on the circumstances of the incident and outlining steps being taken in response.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the company’s Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Chukwunonso Okafor, said the fire started in the inverter room located in the building’s basement around 1:20 p.m. Although safety protocols were immediately activated, he explained that thick smoke and extreme heat spread quickly through the high-rise, hampering evacuation efforts.

“The smoke spread rapidly throughout the building, severely compromising visibility and restricting access to designated evacuation routes. Under these conditions, some occupants were forced to exit through windows,” the statement noted.

Afriland disclosed that the fatalities, including staff of United Capital Plc and officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), were primarily due to smoke inhalation. The company expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to provide both practical and emotional support in partnership with the affected organisations.

Responding to speculation about a delayed rescue effort, Afriland said first responders arrived approximately 20 minutes after the fire began, not three hours as had been alleged. The company also defended the building’s safety measures, noting it is equipped with smoke extractors, alarms, extinguishers, emergency staircases, and other systems certified annually by federal and state fire services. However, Afriland acknowledged that some occupants did not hear the alarms, a situation currently under investigation.

“The Towers has documented safety procedures, regular fire drills overseen by the fire service, and trained wardens on every floor. However, the rapid spread of smoke made evacuation extremely difficult,” the company said.

Afriland added that the building will remain closed until a full structural and safety assessment is completed, along with post-fire cleaning and regulatory clearance. It further confirmed that the facility is fully insured and that the company is working with independent fire safety experts, regulators, and insurers to enhance protocols across its portfolio.

“This incident has provided invaluable lessons that will not only help prevent a recurrence but also strengthen disaster prevention measures across our facilities,” the statement read.

The company also said it has made grief counselling, medical checks, and flexible work arrangements available to employees, stressing that staff welfare remains its priority during this period of mourning.