Businesses suffered losses as fire gutted some buildings in Mandilas, Lagos Island, Lagos and the Afriland Towers in Lagos. The fire incidents occurred simultaneously on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Five people reportedly died in the fire at Afriland Towers, with one person rescued from the Mandilas incident.

It was gathered that the fire broke out at Central Plaza, near Mandilas Market on Lagos Island, just hours after another fire was reported at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, raising serious concerns about back-to-back fire outbreaks in the area.

According to eyewitness accounts, the inferno at the multi-story Central Plaza began around 7:40 p.m. and destroyed many shops housing luxury goods.

Some reports, however, suggest that the fire may have started at Emab Plaza, a four-story commercial building located directly behind Mandilas on Taiwo Street, with initial reports placing the outbreak at about 7:23 p.m.

Traders were seen trying to salvage their goods, as the cause of the fire is currently unknown.
A trader, Emmanuel Ode, expressed worries about the timing of the tragedy.

“Typically, fire outbreaks in Lagos are more common during the dry season, yet this occurred in the middle of the rainy season.

“This unusual development has raised questions about what could have triggered the blaze, which has left millions of naira worth of goods and properties destroyed, and countless businesses in ruins.”

Speaking, Baba Oloja, Mandilas Market, Adebayo Fatai Afolabi, said: “We are expecting the Federal Government and the Lagos State government’s intervention. We didn’t lose any lives, but we lost property and goods worth billions of Naira.

“We sell luxury goods in Mandilas, it’s one of the biggest markets in Lagos State. The situation is beyond our expectations, it’s beyond what we can handle.”

Acting Head of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos Operations Office, Ibitayo Adenike, confirmed that one person was rescued with injuries and taken to the hospital.

She emphasised that the rescue operation is ongoing with support from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Nigeria Police Force, State and Federal Services, and UBA fire services.

Meanwhile, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have expressed deep grief over the loss of staff members in Tuesday’s fire incident at Afriland Towers, Lagos.

UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, in an emotional statement, confirmed that the bank lost colleagues in the tragedy, which also claimed four FIRS officials.

“The past few hours have been tough. We and others lost colleagues in the fire at Afriland Towers. As a community, we are grieving for all and doing what we can to support their families and loved ones,” he said.

He admitted that an earlier statement by the bank’s communication team “was put out in haste, without understanding the full gravity of what happened,” stressing that the loss of lives was painful and personal.

“Our Group paused today to reflect and remember all who passed. They are irreplaceable and will always remain in our memories. May their souls rest in perfect peace and may God comfort their loved ones and us all,” Elumelu added.

Similarly, the FIRS confirmed the death of four of its staff members who were working on the sixth and seventh floors of the tower when the fire broke out.

Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, identified the deceased as Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).

“The Management and entire staff are in deep shock and sorrow over the development. They offer their condolences to the grieving families and are in touch with the families of our departed colleagues whose commitment to excellence, dedication and professionalism were never in doubt. We will provide all the necessary support at this trying time,” Adekanmbi said.

He added that FIRS was working with relevant agencies in Lagos to investigate the cause of the fire, while also reviewing safety measures across its offices nationwide.

The incident, which started around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, also affected other businesses housed in Afriland Towers, including Heirs, Avon, and Afriland itself. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.