…As officials warn high-rise owners to comply with safety regulation
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has revealed result from findings behind the deadly fire that tore through Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on September 16.
Contrary to earlier rumours, officials confirmed that a spark from inverter batteries in the basement triggered the blaze, not negligence or structural collapse.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Mr. Lanre Mojola, Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, said the fire spread quickly, engulfing floors in thick smoke that proved fatal to several occupants.
He said: “At 1:30 p.m., we received a distress call and mobilised immediately. LASAMBUS, LASEMA, and the Safety Commission rushed to the scene. Our Director of Fire entered the building and discovered the fire originated in the basement, caused by the inverter batteries. Smoke rapidly filled all floors.
The fatalities, he stressed, were caused not by burns, but by smoke inhalation as panicked occupants scrambled for exits.
“The building had functioning safety systems — alarms, hoses, and multiple exits. But in their panic, people inhaled toxic smoke while trying to escape. No one died from fire burns,” Mojola added.
Also, Fire Chief Mrs. Margaret Adeseye emphasised the speed of the response, arriving on the scene within 20 minutes of the emergency call.
She said: “We received the call at 1:38 p.m. and reached by 1:56 p.m. Sympathisers were helping occupants, and we immediately began rescues. Sadly, despite alarms and exits, victims succumbed to smoke inhalation,” she said.
Officials urged owners of high-rise buildings to obtain proper certification to ensure occupants’ safety.
“Lagos will not tolerate negligence. Certification and compliance with safety regulations are mandatory to prevent future tragedies,” Mojola warned.
The state government confirmed that investigations are ongoing and promised stricter enforcement of fire safety laws across all high-rise buildings in Lagos.