Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has confirmed the death of four of its staff members in a fire outbreak that occurred on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to preliminary reports, the fire started in the inverter room located in the basement before spreading to other sections of the high-rise building.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dare Adekanmbi, media aide to Zacch Adedeji, FIRS Chairman, disclosed that the victims were in the agency’s offices on the sixth and seventh floors when the incident occurred.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Ekelikhostse George, Assistant Director; David Sunday-Jatto, Assistant Director; Nkem Onyemelukwe, Senior Manager; and Peter Ifaranmaye, Manager.
Adekanmbi noted that the entire service has been thrown into mourning and assured that the families of the deceased would receive full support from the agency.
The statement reads, “The management and entire staff are in deep shock and sorrow over the development. We offer our condolences to the grieving families and will provide all the necessary support at this trying time.”
He explained that security officers at FIRS immediately alerted the fire service, but the inferno had already spread to critical parts of the building.
Adekanmbi further confirmed that the agency is working closely with relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the fire and will be reviewing safety measures across its offices nationwide.
