Lagos State Government Clarifies Issues Surrounding Fire Incidents At Afriland Towers, Central Plaza

PIX : From L-R: DG/CEO Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola; Honourable Commissioner Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso;

SA to Mr. Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile. Director Fire and Resource Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye. 

The Lagos State Government has clarified the issues surrounding the recent fire incidents at Afriland Towers and Central Plaza on Lagos Island on Tuesday, 16th September, saying seven people died due to inhalation of carbon monoxide.

Speaking at a joint Press Conference at Alausa, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the incidents as unfortunate and sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives.

Omotoso assured residents that the State government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu takes safety of lives as important aspect of governance and will continue to invest in safety Infrastructure.

On his part, the Director -General , Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola who noted that Responders arrived within the golden hour, hinted the victims died of inhalation of smoke and some were in panic. 

Mojola urged owners of high rise buildings to continue to register on the Commission's platform for certification.

The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye who stated that the rescue team got to the incident scenes timely, said the Afriland Towers fire started from the basement of the building, where inverter batteries were kept and spread to the other parts of the building, while crowd management hindered effective rescue at the Central Plaza.

Director, Lagos State Ambulance Service, Beatrice Makinde stated that no victim died of fire injuries, but inhalation and those who sustained injuries were taken to the General Hospital in Lagos, treated free, while three of them have been discharged and reunited with their families.