Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed deep sympathy to families, organisations, and Lagos residents affected by the fire outbreak that occurred on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.

The governor described the incident, which claimed lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, as unfortunate and shocking.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the management and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital PLC, who lost four and six staff members, respectively, in the inferno.

“The fire incident at Afriland Towers on Broad Street was worrisome and a significant loss to the Lagos State Government, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), United Capital PLC, and other companies and individuals, with property worth millions of naira destroyed,” the governor said.

“It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the outbreak. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, management, and staff of the organisations that lost their loved ones in this tragic incident. I also wish the injured had a speedy recovery.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu extended his condolences to traders at Central Plaza, near Mandilas Market, who also lost goods and assets worth millions of naira in the blaze. He assured them of his administration’s continued support in preventing and tackling such disasters.

The governor also commended the swift response of emergency agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), the Federal Fire Service, and other first responders, whose efforts helped contain the fire and reduce casualties.