The Digest:
United Capital Plc has confirmed the tragic loss of six employees in the Afriland Towers fire, raising the death toll to 10. The incident, which began in the building’s basement, has exposed critical safety concerns and left families and institutions in mourning.
Key Points
- Six United Capital staff died in the fire, following FIRS’s announcement of four deaths.
- The blaze started in the inverter room of the six-story commercial building on Broad Street.
- Thick smoke forced desperate escape attempts, with videos showing people climbing through windows.
- Lagos State Fire Service rescued nine victims, reviving five while four remained unconscious.
- United Capital pledged support to families and plans a memorial for the deceased.
- Eyewitnesses fear the casualty count may still rise as emergency responses continue.
- The tragedy highlights urgent questions about building safety and emergency preparedness.
Beyond the staggering loss, this disaster underscores the fragile boundaries between routine workdays and unforeseen tragedy in urban centers.
Sources: Punch
