The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has confirmed that four of its staff died in Tuesday’s fire at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos.
The victims — Mrs Ekelikhostse George and Mr David Sunday-Jatto, both assistant directors; Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe, a senior manager; and Mr Peter Ifaranmaye, a manager — were working on the sixth and seventh floors of the building when the blaze broke out, the agency said in a statement.
The affected floors house the FIRS Medium Tax Audit office and the Onikan Emerging Tax office.
Officials said the fire service was contacted immediately, but thick smoke had already spread through the building before help arrived.
“It is with a heavy heart that FIRS announces the tragic loss of four of its staff members during the fire incident at Afriland Towers,” Dare Adekanmbi, the media aide to the FIRS chairman, said.
The agency said it is working with Lagos authorities to determine the cause of the fire and will review safety measures across its offices nationwide.
The FIRS management has also pledged to support the families of the deceased.
