President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with families of victims of the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which claimed seven lives and left several others injured.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, affected offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Afriland Properties Limited.
Four FIRS staff members were among the dead.
In a statement on Thursday by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended condolences to the bereaved families, the management of FIRS, UBA and Afriland Properties.
“President Tinubu extends his condolences to the management and staff of Afriland Properties Limited, the FIRS, UBA, and particularly those who lost loved ones in the inferno, and the injured who are currently receiving medical attention,” the statement said.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and wished the injured a quick recovery.
“The President prays that God Almighty will receive the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to the injured,” Onanuga added.
Tinubu also commended the efforts of emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service, medical personnel and members of the public, who assisted in evacuating occupants of the building.
“The President commends the emergency responders for their quick intervention and notes their deep sense of responsibility during the evacuation,” Onanuga said.
The president advised public and private institutions to increase training and preparedness to prevent similar incidents.
Afriland Properties Plc, which manages the building, confirmed on Wednesday that the fire started in the inverter room before smoke spread through multiple floors, including emergency exits, during evacuation.
“From the moment the incident was reported, the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency services were promptly alerted and on the scene to contain the fire and coordinate rescue efforts. Their swift intervention was instrumental in mitigating further damage and managing the situation,” said the company’s head of marketing and corporate communications Chukwunonso Okafor.
The company expressed condolences to victims’ families and said an investigation into the cause of the fire had begun.
It added that it was working with authorities.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said nine people were rescued from the building on Tuesday.
Deputy controller general Ogabi Olajide said five were successfully resuscitated, while efforts were ongoing to revive four others.
Several others escaped unhurt.
Afriland Towers, located in the Lagos Island business district, is a six-storey commercial property housing multiple businesses, including a UBA branch.
