Survivors of Tuesday’s devastating fire at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, have accused emergency services of responding too slowly, as the death toll climbed to 10.
The six-storey high-rise, which houses several corporate offices, was engulfed in flames, leaving many occupants trapped. Some were forced to jump from windows in desperate attempts to escape.
Heavy Corporate Losses
United Capital Plc, which occupies the third and fourth floors, confirmed on Thursday that six of its employees died in the incident. A day earlier, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced it had lost two assistant directors and two managers.
Survivors Speak Out
Several survivors described the initial response to the fire as “slow and inadequate.”
One survivor, who asked not to be named, said:
“The first responders were area boys, helped by some workers. Emergency services took far too long to arrive.”
Another survivor, Taiwo, recalled:
“We were on our own for a long time. People were jumping from the building, and we were trying to help them, but the emergency services were nowhere to be found.”
A cleaner who was trapped inside said she believed she would die until bystanders helped her escape.
“If not for them, I would not be alive today,” she said.
Another witness added:
“This tragedy could have been avoided if emergency services had responded quickly. We need to learn from this and ensure it never happens again.”
Safety Experts Call for Action
The Institute of Safety Professionals urged government and businesses to adapt to the realities of maintaining high-rise buildings, especially with the growing reliance on alternative energy sources.
The tragedy has renewed calls for improved fire safety measures, faster response systems, and stricter building management protocols in Lagos.
