Billionaire businessman and Chairman of Afriland Properties Plc, Tony Elumelu, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fire at Afriland Towers in Lagos, which claimed the lives of some staff members.
Elumelu, who also chairs Heirs Holdings and UBA, confirmed that some Heirs Holdings employees were among those who died in the tragedy.
In an emotional statement on Wednesday, Elumelu described the incident as a devastating loss to the Afriland family.
“I am shattered by this devastating incident at Afriland Towers, which 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,” he wrote.
Elumelu disclosed that he cut short his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) upon receiving news of the incident, returning immediately to Lagos as a mark of respect.
He assured that the company would provide full support to the families of the deceased while urging staff to stand with colleagues who are recovering from the incident.
“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 departed, while supporting their families. I also want to thank all those who assisted, from emergency responders and first aid workers to members of the public who showed courage and compassion.”
He added that a minute of silence would be observed across all his Group’s companies at 12:00 noon on Wednesday in memory of the victims.
The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The six-storey building, which houses several businesses including a United Bank for Africa (UBA) branch, was engulfed in thick smoke, forcing chaotic evacuations as some staff escaped through windows.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) said the fire began in the inverter room in the basement. Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide confirmed that the emergency call came in at 1:38 p.m., prompting rapid deployment of firefighting teams.
According to LSFRS, nine people were rescued, five of whom were successfully resuscitated, while several others escaped unharmed.
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