KEY POINTS

• Afriland Towers fire confirmed 10 deaths in Lagos.

• United Capital says six employees died in the blaze.

• Emergency crews rescued nine, five revived on-site.

At least ten people have now been confirmed dead following the fire that tore through Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street in Lagos Island.

The incident, which began in the basement on Tuesday afternoon, has drawn fresh attention to safety standards in some of Nigeria’s busiest office districts.

Afriland Towers fire leaves lasting scars

Among the victims were six employees of United Capital, an investment and financial services firm with offices on the third and fourth floors. The company confirmed their deaths in a Thursday morning statement, calling the loss “immeasurable” and pledging support for the families left behind. Four staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service were also reported dead just hours earlier, highlighting the human toll of the blaze.

The fire is believed to have started in the inverter room around 1:30 pm, sending smoke through stairwells and hallways and sparking panic as workers tried to escape. Some were seen attempting to flee through windows before emergency teams gained control.

Officials from the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other responders rescued at least nine occupants. Five were revived at the scene, while four remained unconscious. Others managed to leave the building on their own.

United Capital mourns staff lost in tragedy

In its statement, United Capital described its late employees as “an integral part of our company and family.” Management said preparations were underway for a memorial service to honor the lives cut short by the fire.

“We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones,” the company said. It also expressed gratitude to emergency workers for what it described as “valiant assistance.”

Emergency responders earlier warned of possible additional casualties as they battled flames in the basement and upper floors.

Eyewitnesses said not everyone made it out alive. Authorities, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the National Emergency Management Agency, had yet to provide updated casualty figures at the time of filing this report.