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A tragic fire at Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island has claimed the lives of four senior staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), officials and eyewitnesses have confirmed. Read Our Last Post: Over 50 Sudanese Refugees Die in Libya Boat Fire While Trying to Reach Europe
The fire broke out at the commercial high-rise that houses several offices, including those of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and United Bank for Africa (UBA). FIRS occupies the sixth and seventh floors of the building, where its Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are based.
The four FIRS employees who died are:
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Mrs Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director)
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Mr David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director)
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Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager)
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Mr Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager)
Rescue teams raced to the scene but, sadly, some senior staff could not be brought out alive. Emergency responders and building officials are continuing work at the site as families and colleagues mourn the loss.
UBA, which is a tenant in the building, has issued a statement saying there were no casualties among its staff or customers at the affected branch. Some unverified reports have put the number of deaths higher — as many as ten — but those figures have not been confirmed by any official source.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger fire safety measures in office buildings across the city. For now, Lagos authorities, emergency services and the affected organisations are working together to account for all staff, secure the scene and support the grieving families.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
