Emergency workers continue battling fire outbreak in Madilas
*Oki threatens pulling down buildings as workers fault emergency response
*Death toll rises to 10 in Afriland Tower outbreak
Emergency workers yesterday resumed battling the Mandilas fire outbreak, Balogun, Lagos Island, Lagos.
Though, the outbreak has been dowsed but fire could be seen burning in the buildings.
The fire began with ravaging Emab Plaza, a four-storey building behind Mandilas on Lagos Island.
The blaze, first reported around 8 pm, broke out on the fourth floor and quickly spread to neighbouring apartments, consuming a total four buildings; two four storey-buildings, a three storey-building, and two storey building.
When The Guardian visited the scene, it noticed that shops attached to main buildings in the market have been marked by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for removal.
While the operation was on, a man approached the emergency workers, claiming that his brother was in the building, the claim that could not be ascertained.
Speaking with The Guardian, a shoe trader, Caroline Alabi, said: “The fire started past 7.p.m on Tuesday and I have in Obama Plaza. I was severely affected. I was unable to remove any of my goods because I stay in Sangotedo and I got here around 10.a.m the next day.
When asked about the fire hydrant, the campaign that started in the market in 2024, she said: “Progress was made on it in 2024 after the Mandilas Warehouse got burnt but they didn’t finish the project. When I got to the market, I met the fire service and I can say they tried their best but the equipment is not enough. The government is inconsiderate on the kind of equipment it sent to combat the fire. The government is suggesting taxing business owners from 2026, and I hope they will provide more for us.
“No one is insured including myself because I don’t think any insurance company will insure a market like this.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki who visited the scene yesterday lambasted building owners, threatened to pull down buildings with extensions.
He warned: “If you attach an extension to your building and while removing it and it affected the building, the whole building will be pulled down.
Tell all the people you have collected money from and using those extensions to leave. You have the deadline of Friday (today). I will come here on Friday evening and start pulling down because you can’t be causing inconvenience in Lagos State.
You paid for tuition. You have educated children, are they happy coming here? How many of them can come here? Remove your goods because there is no stopping when we start pulling down. Any building blocking the tractors will be pulled down, you can’t be wasting taxpayers money.
MEANWHILE, number of casualties in the Afriland Tower fire outbreak has risen to 10 as United Capital announced death of six staff.
The confirmation brought the number of deaths to 10 after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) confirmed the death of four staff in the inferno.
In a statement, United Capital said: “It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family.
Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void.
We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, and we continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers, as well as providing all the support we can to them during this most difficult time.
We are making preparations for an appropriate memorial service to honour their lives and mark their passing with dignity and solemnity.
We thank the emergency services and all those who responded, for their valiant assistance at the time of the incident.
In this moment of untold grief, we stand together in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we navigate this period.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
