President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the fire incident at Afriland Towers on Lagos Island.
Tinubu also extended his condolences to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who lost four employees; and United Capital, who lost six workers in the inferno.
“President Bola Tinubu commiserates with the families of victims, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the United Capital, and the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc over Tuesday’s fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
“President Tinubu extends his condolences to the management and staff of Afriland Properties Limited, the FIRS, the United Capital, UBA, and particularly those who lost loved ones in the inferno, and the injured who are currently receiving medical attention,” a statement by his aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.
Tinubu, however, commended the emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, first aiders, medical personnel, and members of the public, for their “quick intervention,” noting 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,” the statement added.
Panic
Panic gripped Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday when smoke billowing from a basement forced the evacuation of occupants of the six-storey building.
Some of them were seen in a viral video jumping off a window of one of the affected floors.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had said that the fire originated in the inverter room located in Afriland Tower’s basement.
Deputy Controller General of the agency, Ogabi Olajide, said the service received a call at 1:38 p.m. before firefighters swiftly mobilised to the scene.
According to him, firefighters from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations responded promptly, preventing the outbreak from escalating beyond smoke-filled floors.
The managements of the FIRS and United Capital later confirmed that they lost some of their workers in the inferno.
