A devastating fire engulfed a high-rise building in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, resulting in the deaths of at least ten individuals and leaving 25 others injured. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, unfolded at the seven-story Afriland Towers, a building housing numerous commercial enterprises. Disturbing footage circulating on social media captured desperate occupants leaping from the third and fourth floors as flames and thick smoke rapidly consumed the structure. Many of the victims were workers trapped inside, unable to escape the inferno. Survivors sustained severe burns, fractures, and respiratory issues from smoke inhalation, while others faced life-threatening trauma from jumping to safety. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic, with some individuals too terrified to leap and others resorting to makeshift ladders for rescue. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema) attributed the fire’s origin to the basement, where electrical equipment overheated due to poor maintenance and inadequate ventilation. The agency highlighted critical safety lapses, including the absence of mechanical smoke extraction systems, non-functional public address systems, and insufficient evacuation signage. Additionally, sealed windows and the incapacitation of facility managers exacerbated the crisis. Lasema managed to extinguish the blaze after several hours, but the incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety standards in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, while the Nigeria Federal Fire Service launched a comprehensive investigation into the causes, promising to implement all recommendations to prevent future tragedies.