Island Fire Victims Died of Smoke Inhalation, Not Flames— Lagos Govt.

…Gives Tips on How To Survive Fire Disasters
…FG Mourns Dead, Consoles Injured

By Yinka Giwa

The Lagos State Government has urged residents to adopt basic safety measures that could save lives during fire incidents, following the twin disasters that struck Lagos Island last week. Officials confirmed that seven people lost their lives to carbon monoxide inhalation rather than burns, after separate fires gutted Afriland Towers and Mandilas Central Plaza in the Central Business District.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described the tragedies as “deeply painful” and extended condolences to the families of the victims. “We sympathise with the bereaved families and assure residents that safety of lives and property remain a top priority for this administration,” Omotoso said. He added that the government would continue to invest in safety infrastructure and strengthen emergency response systems.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Dr. Lanre Mojola, said preliminary investigations showed that the victims died from smoke inhalation. “Preliminary reports show that most of the victims died from inhaling smoke and not burns. We urge residents to follow basic safety measures such as crawling under smoke during a fire and knowing the exit routes in high-rise buildings,” Mojola said. He explained that responders had arrived within the “golden hour,” but panic contributed to the casualties.

The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that her teams reached both buildings within 20 minutes of receiving distress calls. She said the Afriland Towers fire began in the basement where inverter batteries were kept before spreading to other areas. She added that “crowd management was a major challenge at the Mandilas Central Plaza, which hindered effective rescue operations.”

The Director of the Lagos State Ambulance Service, Mrs. Beatrice Makinde, said injured victims were treated free of charge at the General Hospital in Lagos. “Three of those admitted have been discharged and reunited with their families, while others are still under observation,” Makinde said.

Observers note that the government’s appeal highlights the need for Nigerians to be more conscious of safety practices in high-rise buildings, where panic and poor preparedness often worsen fire disasters. Safety analysts also argue that the state’s insistence on registering high-rise buildings for certification is a step toward ensuring compliance with global best practices.

Officials and experts alike agree that while the government is stepping up investment in infrastructure and emergency response, survival in fire emergencies still depends on the actions of residents in those critical first minutes.

The Federal Government has also mourned the victims of the Afriland Tower fire. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the government was deeply grieved by the tragic incident.

“The incident claimed the lives of some senior officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the United Capital (UCP) PLC, while leaving scores injured. This is a most painful and devastating loss, not only to the families and institutions directly affected, but to the nation as a whole,” Idris said.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families, colleagues, and friends of the departed, as well as to FIRS and UCP, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

According to Idris, the Federal Government is working closely with the Lagos State Government to ensure the tragedy is thoroughly investigated and appropriate measures are taken to prevent recurrence.

“May the Almighty comfort the bereaved, heal the wounded, and grant the nation the strength to overcome this painful moment,” he added.