The death toll from the fire at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, has risen to 10, following confirmation that six employees of United Capital Plc perished in the tragedy.
The confirmation, made by the company on Thursday morning, comes hours after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced the loss of four of its staff in the incident.
United Capital, which occupied the 3rd and 4th floors of the building, described the deaths as a devastating blow. “Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family.
Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void,” the firm said in a statement, adding that plans were underway for a memorial service in their honour.
The fire, which broke out around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the inverter room located in the basement, sent thick smoke billowing across the building and forced occupants to flee in panic.
Eyewitnesses reported some individuals attempting to escape through windows as emergency responders battled the flames.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that nine people were rescued from the building. Five were revived, while four others were taken away unconscious.
Officials, however, have yet to release an official casualty figure.
The cause of the fire is believed to be an inverter explosion, though investigations are ongoing.
Efforts to obtain further clarification from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency were unsuccessful as of press time.
United Capital expressed gratitude to emergency responders for their efforts during the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.