The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has confirmed the death of four of its senior staff members in the fire that gutted Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The victims — Mrs Ekelikhostse George, Assistant Director; Mr David Sunday-Jatto, Assistant Director; Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe, Senior Manager; and Mr Peter Ifaranmaye, Manager — were trapped while on duty at one of the two FIRS offices located on the sixth and seventh floors of the high-rise when the blaze broke out.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, described the incident as a devastating loss to the service.
“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. FIRS is one of the tenants occupying the towers, with our Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office housed on the sixth and seventh floors,” the statement read.
The agency explained that its security and safety team had promptly contacted the fire service when the alarm was raised, but thick smoke had already engulfed the building before help arrived.
“The Management and entire staff are in deep shock and sorrow over the development. They offer their condolences to the grieving families and are in touch with the families of our departed colleagues whose commitment to excellence, dedication and professionalism were never in doubt. We will provide all the necessary support at this trying time,” the statement added.
FIRS also said it is working with relevant authorities in Lagos to determine the cause of the fire while reviewing safety measures across its offices nationwide.
Emergency responders at the scene confirmed that investigations are ongoing, as eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread quickly through the building, trapping several occupants on multiple floors.
