Afriland Properties Plc has officially addressed generated conflicting accounts of the cause of death of victims of the fire outbreak at its headquarters on Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
The Head of Brand, Marketing, and Corporate Communications at Afriland Properties Plc, Chukwunonso Okafor, offered the cause of death.
The real estate firm in a statement by Okafor on Saturday said that contrary to earlier fears that victims might have died while being evacuated, no corpse was recovered at the scene.
Rather, the 10 confirmed casualties were said to have succumbed later in hospitals after inhaling the toxic smoke.
The statement said: Sadly, we recorded 10 fatalities, including members of United Capital Plc and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
“We extend our deepest condolences to their families and are working closely with the affected organizations to ensure that the bereaved are supported with compassion and practical assistance.
“Based on available information, the primary cause of casualties was smoke inhalation.”
The clarification was made in a detailed set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addressing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
On the cause of the fire, the statement said: “The fire originated in the inverter room located in the basement of Afriland Towers.
“Safety protocols were activated immediately.
“However, the thick black smoke and intense heat generated quickly filled the basement and spread rapidly throughout the building.”
On why some occupants of the building had to jump down through windows, Okafor told Nigerians: “The smoke spread rapidly throughout the building, severely compromising visibility and restricting access to designated evacuation routes.
“Under these challenging conditions, some occupants resorted to exiting through the windows in their efforts to reach safety.
“The intensity of the incident created significant disorder and hindered effective communication.”
On reports that it took over three hours from when the fire started for the fire service and ambulances to respond, the statement said this was far from the truth.
It said: “The fire started around 1:20pm.
“The on-site fire champions activated the fire protocol while the first responders came in about 20 minutes later.
“We remain grateful for their efforts and for the support of well-meaning Nigerians who helped bring the situation under control.”
On fire evacuation contingency plans in the building, Okafor explained: “Afriland Towers has documented safety procedures, regular drills, and standard fire evacuation plans.
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“However, the rapid spread of thick smoke made evacuation extremely difficult.”
He equally faulted the insinuations that the building has no emergency exits.
He explained: “The building is designed with two dedicated emergency staircases providing access from all floors, as well as multiple exit points on the ground floor.
“However, the rapid spread of smoke severely limited the use of these escape routes.”
Okafor equally answered the query that there were no smoke extractors and fire sprinklers in the building designed by a “supposed” facilities management company.
He responded: “Afriland Towers is equipped with fire safety features, including smoke extractors, fire reels, and extinguishers, all in compliance with recommendations from both the Federal and State Fire Services.
“It is important to note that the fire was contained within its point of origin.
“We also engage safety regulators regularly to certify that our buildings meet all requirements for occupancy, and there are valid certifications to verify this.”
