Lagos State Government has said Tuesday’s fire at Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island, began in the basement of the high-rise where backup batteries were stored.
Director general of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, disclosed this during a joint press conference on Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
He said smoke from the basement spread quickly through air-conditioning ducts, leading to panic among occupants.
He added that victims died from smoke inhalation.
Mr Mojola noted that more than 200 high-rise buildings in the state had undergone fire safety certification in 2025.
He urged property owners and facility managers to cooperate with regulatory agencies by registering their premises for routine inspections.
Commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state government has launched a probe into the fires at Afriland Tower and Central Plaza.
He said governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered the probe following misinformation about the incidents.
Mr Omotoso confirmed that fatalities occurred from smoke inhalation, not from fire injuries.
He said the government had commissioned 62 fire trucks in one day last year and would continue to strengthen emergency response.
He conveyed condolences to families and businesses affected.
Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said her team arrived at the scene in less than 20 minutes after receiving a distress call.
She said the fire started from the basement where inverter batteries were stored.
Director of the Lagos State Ambulance Service, Wuraola Makinde, said emergency medical personnel were deployed immediately.
She said no victim died from fire injuries but from smoke inhalation.
Three injured persons treated at the General Hospital were discharged.
Eyewitnesses said occupants scrambled for safety, with some jumping from windows while others used ladders provided by volunteers.
United Capital Plc confirmed six staff members died, while the Federal Inland Revenue Service confirmed four staff members also died, bringing the total number of deaths to 10.
Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, earlier confirmed the death of colleagues in the fire and pledged support for the bereaved families.
The Federal Fire Service has announced a nationwide fire safety compliance audit in response to the incident.
Controller general Samuel Olumode said the audit would cover public and private buildings nationwide and sanction non-compliance.
Experts have linked the fatalities to toxic fumes from lithium batteries stored in the basement.
