Tragedy struck Lagos Island on Tuesday as two separate fire outbreaks claimed lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira. At least seven people have been confirmed dead following a fire at Afriland Tower, while another blaze ravaged Mandilas Market and adjoining plazas.

The Afriland Tower fire broke out around 1:45 p.m., sending thick black smoke billowing from the high-rise building in Marina. Panic ensued as trapped occupants screamed for help, with some attempting to jump from upper floors. Passersby and traders improvised rescue efforts with ladders and foams before firefighters arrived.

Victims were rushed to hospitals across the city, but sadly, seven later died. Among them were four staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George, Mr. David Sunday-Jatto, Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe, and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye. The FIRS confirmed their deaths in an official statement, describing the loss as heartbreaking.

Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA, also mourned colleagues who lost their lives, cutting short his trip to the United States to return home. “No words can capture the magnitude of this loss,” he said, while promising support for the victims’ families.

Witnesses said the fire appeared to start underground, near the building’s transformer and inverter area, with no visible flames at first. Security personnel, UBA’s emergency unit, and eventually the Lagos State and Federal Fire Services joined in efforts to control the blaze.

Just hours later, another fire gutted Mandilas Market and three adjoining plazas on Taiwo Street—Central Plaza, Yol Plaza, and the Obama & AO Building. Over 1,000 stalls were destroyed, leaving traders in tears as smoke still rose from the ruins by Wednesday morning.

Some traders managed to salvage their goods, while others lost everything. Witnesses linked the blaze to possible electrical faults, while many also decried the looting that occurred during the chaos.

Authorities have sealed off both sites, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fires. Meanwhile, calls are growing louder for stricter enforcement of building safety standards in Lagos’ crowded commercial hubs, where electrical faults and poor safety systems remain recurring risks.

The mood across Marina and Taiwo Street remains heavy, as Lagos mourns those who died in yet another devastating fire outbreak.