₦airaland Forum

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has been thrown into mourning after four of its senior officials were killed in the fire outbreak that ravaged Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday.

The victims, who were trapped on duty at the agency’s sixth and seventh-floor offices inside the high-rise building, have been identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).

In a statement signed by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, the agency confirmed the deaths and described the tragedy as a devastating blow to its workforce.

“It is with a heavy heart that FIRS announces the tragic loss of four of its staff members during the fire incident at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday,” the statement read.

“Our Security and Safety officials quickly mobilised and contacted the fire service as soon as they were alerted. On getting to the scene, thick dark smoke was already billowing out of the building.”

Eyewitnesses said the fire spread quickly through the multi-storey building, trapping workers as thick smoke engulfed several floors before emergency responders arrived.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed that at least nine people were rescued, five resuscitated, while others managed to escape unhurt during the chaotic evacuation.

The FIRS, which operates its Medium Tax Audit Office and Onikan Emerging Tax Office from the affected floors, said it was working closely with emergency agencies to determine the exact cause of the inferno.

The management also pledged to support the bereaved families and review safety standards across all its offices nationwide.

“The Management and entire staff are in deep shock and sorrow. We are in touch with the families of our departed colleagues whose commitment and professionalism were never in doubt.

"We will provide every necessary support at this trying time and are reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices in both rented and owned buildings nationwide,” the statement added.

madridguy:
I still don't get, fire alarm no dey the building? No emergency exits for the building? Are the security officers at the building no get small training on how to tackle fire outbreak before the arrival of the fire service....

Our problem in Nigeria is that we don't investigate incident like this properly and hold the culprits responsible for their negligence.

R. I. P to them all.

sammyscholar:
Evacuation during fire outbreak in a high-rise building can present a huge challenge. You would need to get to the ground floor before you can make exit from the building. Elevator may have stopped working and the staircase might not be easily accessible. Also, the smoke of the fire is as deadly as the fire itself, some may have passed out before they make it to the exit.

Preator:
Basic safety, never use elevators in an emergency. Always the stairs!

madridguy:
I still don't get, fire alarm no dey the building? No emergency exits for the building? Are the security officers at the building no get small training on how to tackle fire outbreak before the arrival of the fire service....

Our problem in Nigeria is that we don't investigate incident like this properly and hold the culprits responsible for their negligence.

R. I. P to them all.

yewit37486:
Obviously, some people were in the elevator already prior to the fire starting.

onuman:
RIP to the dead.
Burning Lagos for Tinubu government to rebuild.
Very soon, miscreants will produce a video where MNK ordered those setting fire on Lagos.

madridguy:
I still don't get, fire alarm no dey the building? No emergency exits for the building? Are the security officers at the building no get small training on how to tackle fire outbreak before the arrival of the fire service....

Our problem in Nigeria is that we don't investigate incident like this properly and hold the culprits responsible for their negligence.

R. I. P to them all.

ArcSEMPECJ:
Rest in peace to the top officers. ...I wonder why the fire strategically took only the lives of top Workers in the organization...

How did others escape that the top Workers where not considered first

Pray the main reason for this outbreak is found , so that corrections will be taken next time.

ajalawole:
everything Na panic in this country bro. No one way even want to use fire escape if there is one in the building.. Have seen people jumping out of a building whereas they should have use the emergency exit.