- Safiu Kehinde
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, ordered full investigation into the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers.
NPO Reported that the eight-storey building located along Broad Street, Lagos Island, was on Tuesday gutted by fire with 10 people confirmed dead.
While expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the fire outbreak, Olumode directed the immediate deployment of an investigation team to establish the direct and remote causes of the incident.
The investigation, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Fire Service spokesperson, P.O Abraham, is include identifying the building’s state of safety systems, maintenance practices and compliance with fire safety regulations.
The Fire Service pledged to make the findings of the investigation public and all recommendations implemented without delay.
Also, Olumode, according to the statement, announced that the Service will roll out a nationwide Task Force on Fire Safety Compliance to audit public and private buildings, enforce safety standards, sanction non-compliance, and train facility managers and staff amongst others.
The Controller General noted recent public commentary on the incident and welcomed the call for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, stating that it is not enough to install fire safety equipment but essential to maintain it, ensure functionality and train staff.
He reaffirmed that under his leadership the Federal Fire Service will move beyond reactive firefighting to proactive prevention, audits, sanctions and public accountability.
The Federal Fire Service urges all facility owners, managers, corporate bodies, banks and public agencies to immediately review their fire safety readiness, ensure inverter and generator rooms are secure, exit pathways unblocked, fire alarms functional and staff trained.