Afriland Properties Plc has confirmed a fire outbreak on Tuesday at its headquarters, the eight-storey Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, attributing the likely cause to a technical fault in the building’s inverter room.
The incident, which sent thick smoke billowing through the high-rise and forced a frantic evacuation, left no fatalities, though several occupants sustained minor injuries and some reportedly lost consciousness after inhaling smoke.
Videos shared on social media showed workers from various offices in the tower scrambling to safety, with a few jumping from lower levels as smoke spread rapidly even through emergency exits.
In a statement issued by Chukwunonso Okafor, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Afriland expressed regret over the incident and praised emergency responders for their swift action.
“From the moment the incident was reported, the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency services were promptly alerted and on the scene to contain the fire and coordinate rescue efforts. Their swift intervention was instrumental in mitigating further damage and managing the situation,” the company said.
Afriland added that an immediate investigation is under way and pledged full cooperation with regulators while promising timely updates as more information emerges.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted,” the statement read. “Initial reports indicate that the incident began in the inverter room, and, regrettably, smoke spread quickly through the building even as standard safety protocols were observed during evacuation.”
The property firm thanked first responders, first-aid workers, and members of the public who assisted during the emergency, assuring stakeholders that it will continue to release verified details as investigations progress.
