*No Fire At Our Head Office, UBA Clarifies
THE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of four staff in Tuesday’s fire incident at Afriland Towers on Broad Street in Lagos.
Similarly, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has confirmed that employees of Heirs Holdings were among those who lost their lives in the incident.
The incident occurred on the sixth and seventh floors of the building where FIRS’ Medium Tax Audit Office and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are located.
The tax agency, in a condolence message on its X handle on Wednesday, September 17, said its security and safety officials had quickly alerted the fire service on noticing the fire, but thick smoke had already spread through the building before emergency responders arrived.
According to the post: “The Management and Staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of four of our colleagues in the fire incident that occurred on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos.
“The unfortunate incident has thrown the entire FIRS community into mourning. FIRS occupies the sixth and seventh floors of Afriland Towers, where the Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are located.
“Upon being alerted, our Security and Safety officials swiftly mobilised and contacted the fire service, but by the time emergency responders arrived, thick smoke had already engulfed the building.”
It added that it was maintaining close contact with the bereaved families and would provide every necessary support during this difficult period, adding that it was reviewing and strengthening safety protocols across all its offices nationwide to safeguard staff and prevent a recurrence.
“The Management and staff of FIRS extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We honour the memory of our departed colleagues whose professionalism and dedication were exemplary.
“FIRS remains in close touch with the families and will provide every necessary support during this difficult time.
“In addition, we are reviewing and strengthening safety measures across all FIRS offices nationwide, both rented and owned, to ensure the safety of our people remains paramount,” it stated.
The deceased staff 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, according to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, Dare Adekanmbi.
In a message to staff on Heirs Holdings letterhead, dated Wednesday, September 17, Elemelu described the tragedy as devastating, adding that no words could capture the grief felt by the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.
He stated: “I am shattered by yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) devastating incident at Afriland Towers, that took the lives of our dear colleagues.
“No words can capture the magnitude of this loss, not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them.
“Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission.”
He said he cut short his trip to the United States (US), where he was heading to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), to return to Lagos in respect of the victims, and had directed that a minute of silence be observed across all Heirs Holdings companies on Wednesday, September 17, pledging support for the families of those affected.
Elumelu also announced that a memorial service would be held in the coming days to honour the deceased employees and commended emergency responders, first aid workers and members of the public who showed courage during the incident.
Meanwhile, UBA has clarified that there were no casualties among its staff due to the incident, which it said was wrongly reported on social media as occurring at its head office, UBA House, on Marina.
A senior official of the bank told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN): “We are aware of the fire incident at a building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which incidentally houses one of our many branches.
“As against reports on online and social media, the affected building is not the UBA House, Marina, the bank’s head office.
“We have ensured the safety and wellbeing of our staff and customers in the branch.”
The official said the situation was already under control before emergency responders arrived, noting: “By the time responders got there, even the UBA staff had taken care of it.
“It was more smoke than fire, and it had been quickly contained.”
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said nine people were rescued, five resuscitated, while others managed to escape unhurt.
It added that investigations were underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, which eyewitnesses said spread rapidly through the high-rise, trapping occupants on multiple floors.
Deputy Controller General, Ogabi Olajide, said the Service received an emergency call at 1:38 p.m., prompting the rapid deployment of firefighting teams from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations to contain the situation, with smoke quickly spreading through several floors, forcing evacuations.
Video footage online showed occupants, ostensibly the workers, escaping through windows using a ladder, typically meant for climbing electricity poles, which was raised from the first-floor cantilever and supported by people on the ground.
While some individuals managed to descend safely, the precarious arrangement drew sharp criticism.
Another clip captured occupants attempting to jump onto makeshift cushioned materials below, but the practice ceased after an apparent injury, leaving the ladder as the only safe means of escape.
