Heirs Holdings has confirmed that some of its staff members died in the fire that engulfed Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, as the group mourned what it called an “irreplaceable loss.”
Heirs Holdings, an investment company founded by Tony Elumelu, is a sister subsidiary to United Bank for Africa, with interests spanning real estate, power, hospitality, and financial services.
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“I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at Afriland Towers, that took the lives of our dear colleagues,” Group Chairperson Tony Elumelu said in a circular to staff on Wednesday.
“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.”
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Mr Elumelu said he had cut short his trip to New York, where he was headed for the United Nations General Assembly, to return to Lagos “as a mark of respect to our lost colleagues.”
“As we navigate this grief, I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care. In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families,” he said.
The group also announced that a minute’s silence would be observed across all its companies at 12 noon on Wednesday.
Tributes
Although the full death toll remained unclear, friends and relatives mourned colleagues caught in the blaze Tuesday.
“Lost some of my friends and former colleagues today. My heart is heavy … So so heavy. These are people I sat and worked with. Each call has been ‘ahh, him too?’ Dear Lord, please be a comfort,” an X user, Bleh, wrote.
Another user, Kenny Odunuga, posted: “My sis got home safe, but some of her colleagues did not make it.”
“My best friend Erica barely escaped, I was there to pick her and I can tell you fR people died,” wrote EdokumoS.
Earlier
Afriland Properties, manager of Afriland Towers, had earlier confirmed the blaze in a statement. “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.
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It added: “We are deeply saddened by this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones.”
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the fire began in the building’s basement inverter room before smoke spread quickly through several floors. “A total of nine victims have been rescued. Five individuals have been successfully resuscitated,” Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide said on Tuesday.
“Several others escaped unhurt, while efforts are currently ongoing to resuscitate the remaining four individuals.”
Videos posted online showed trapped occupants smashing windows for air. Some leapt onto foamy materials spread below, while others clung to ledges until ladders were raised for their escape.
By late afternoon, firefighters reported that the blaze had been contained, although checks on the building continued into the evening.
Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial property on Lagos Island, houses offices and businesses in one of the city’s busiest districts.
