Lagos reveals cause of Afriland Towers fire
By Adeola Ogunrinde –
The Lagos State Government has disclosed the cause of the fire that broke out at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, on September 16. The inferno, which claimed several lives, was traced to a spark from inverter batteries located in the building’s basement.
This was revealed at a press conference on Thursday by the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, alongside the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the Director-General of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, and the Director of Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Wuraola Makinde.
Mojola stated that the fire originated from the inverter batteries and the resulting smoke spread rapidly throughout all floors of the building. He also dismissed reports that emergency responders arrived late at the scene.
“We received a distress call at 1:30 p.m. and immediately mobilised. LASAMBUS, LASEMA, and the Safety Commission were on ground. The Director of Fire identified the fire source in the basement. Smoke travelled quickly to all floors, leading to the casualties,” Mojola explained.
He noted that the building was equipped with fire rescue systems, multiple exit points, and a working alarm system at the time of the incident. He urged owners of high-rise buildings to obtain the necessary certifications to ensure safety compliance.
Supporting Mojola’s account, Margaret Adeseye confirmed that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded within 20 minutes of the distress call. She emphasised that their investigation also identified the inverter batteries as the cause of the fire.
“We received the call at 1:38 p.m. and arrived by 1:56 p.m. There were sympathisers trying to help victims escape. The alarm was ringing, and there were smoke detectors, hoses, and exits available. Unfortunately, some victims panicked and didn’t use the exits properly, leading to deaths caused by smoke inhalation,” Adeseye said.
She urged the public to remain calm during emergencies and follow safety protocols, stressing that timely response and proper building facilities can save lives during such incidents.
