The Lagos State Government has expressed deep condolences to families affected by the tragic fire incident that occurred on Tuesday at Afriland Towers and Central Plaza on Lagos Island. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also directed a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze.
At a press briefing held Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, top government officials assured the public of Lagos State’s continued commitment to safety and emergency preparedness. Speaking at the briefing were Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile; Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola; and other heads of emergency response agencies.
Mr. Omotoso emphasized that contrary to circulating claims, the fatalities recorded were due to smoke inhalation, not direct burns. He stated that emergency services acted swiftly, arriving at the scene within minutes. He also cautioned against spreading misinformation, saying Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains focused on delivering prompt and effective emergency response.
“Lagos State invested in 62 fire trucks just last year and continues to prioritize the protection of lives and property,” Omotoso noted. “The administration has also deployed tall ladders capable of reaching buildings over 10 storeys high.”
He described the incident as tragic and extended sympathies to families and businesses affected, speaking on behalf of the governor.
Further technical insight was provided by the Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, who revealed that the fire originated in the building’s basement, where inverter batteries were located. The smoke spread quickly through air-conditioning vents, leading to chaos and smoke inhalation among occupants.
According to Mojola, emergency responders reached the scene promptly, and the unfortunate loss of lives was attributed solely to smoke inhalation. He added that over 200 high-rise buildings in Lagos have already undergone fire safety assessments this year, and urged building owners to comply with routine safety inspections.
Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that her team arrived within 20 minutes of receiving the alert and managed to contain the fire, despite crowd interference and traffic delays. She corroborated that the fire began in the basement and spread through the building, but several lives were saved through rescue efforts.
Dr. Wuraola Makinde, Director of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), also addressed the press, stating that medical personnel treated numerous individuals for smoke inhalation. She confirmed there were no fatalities from burns and that all medical services were provided free of charge. Three patients have since been discharged and reunited with their families.
Authorities urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations while reaffirming the state’s readiness to prevent future tragedies.
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