Afriland Towers fire death toll hits 10
The confirmed death toll from the fire that consumed Afriland Towers, a six-story commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, has risen to 10.United Capital Plc, which occupies the 3rd and 4th floors of the structure, announced on Thursday that six of its employees perished in the incident.
This revelation follows a statement from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Wednesday that reported the loss of four staff members in the disaster.
As reported by Metro Punch, the fire erupted around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the inverter room located in the basement. Dense smoke rapidly filled the building, causing chaos as occupants hurried to escape. Some were observed trying to leap through windows before emergency personnel arrived.
Rescue teams from the Federal Fire Service, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other first responders managed to save at least nine individuals from the tower. Five were successfully revived, while four others were brought out unconscious.
"A total of nine victims have been rescued. Five individuals have been successfully resuscitated. Several others escaped without injury, while efforts are still underway to revive the remaining four," the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service stated on Tuesday.
In an exclusive statement provided to our correspondent on Thursday morning, United Capital confirmed the death of six employees, noting that this tragedy raises the total casualty number at Afriland Towers to ten.
"It is with deep sorrow that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the loss of six of our beloved colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Our departed colleagues were a vital part of our company and family. Their heartbreaking loss leaves an enormous void. We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to their families, friends, and loved ones, and we continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers, as well as offer our full support during this incredibly challenging time.
We are making arrangements for a proper memorial service to honor their lives and commemorate their passing with dignity and respect. We appreciate the emergency services and all who assisted during this incident for their courageous efforts.
In this moment of profound sorrow, we stand united in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we face this period. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace," the company expressed.
Earlier, emergency officials confirmed that several individuals were rescued from the burning building, which is believed to have ignited due to an inverter explosion. While authorities have not yet released an official casualty count, both company announcements and eyewitness testimonies suggest that the death toll continues to rise.
Attempts to contact the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) for updated information were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
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