The death toll from the Afriland Towers fire has risen to 10 after United Capital Plc confirmed on Thursday that six of its workers died in the incident.
This comes a day after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said four of its staff also lost their lives in the fire that destroyed the eight-storey building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The fire started around 1:30 pm on Tuesday in the inverter room at the basement and spread quickly, filling the building with smoke. Some workers tried to escape through the windows as the flames grew.
Firefighters and emergency workers rescued nine people. Five were revived immediately, while four others were taken out unconscious.
In a statement, United Capital described the deaths of its workers as “a painful loss” and said a memorial service will be held for them.
Eyewitnesses believe more people may have died, but officials have not released an official casualty figure. Efforts to reach the Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency agencies for confirmation were not successful at the time of this report.
