A person who survived the recent fire at Afriland Tower in Lagos has shared her intense story, also referring to the event as deeply distressing.
PUNCH MetroIt was reported that the incident, caused by smoke coming from the inverter room located within the building, resulted in 10 deaths and left others injured.
As reported in several videos posted on social media and viewed by PUNCH Metro, people were observed trying to jump from the Afriland Tower building, while others were assisted using ladders by locals and those nearby.
The post, published on Facebook by her sibling, Ronnie Ojo, indicated that she was too distressed to talk about the incident for several days before eventually sharing her story.
Ronnie, who shared images of her sister’s account, which was reportedly first posted on WhatsApp, stated, “The fire at Afriland Tower left my sister deeply shaken, but fortunately, she has now spoken about it and is recovering well.”
In her account, the survivor, whose identity remains unknown, described how the day began like any other Tuesday.
She stated she endured the heavy rain and the lengthy commute to work, all while participating in a planned meeting, then resumed her usual duties, oblivious to the impending threat.
“Ugh. These past few days have been really tough! You woke up in the morning to head to work through heavy rain, a long drive, and an already planned Tuesday meeting. You did well in the meeting, then moved on to your usual tasks for the day…in your mind, you’re glad the day is slowly passing…but you’re unsure about what’s coming next. Midway through the workday, you’re told to leave the building because there’s smoke coming from downstairs. I was thinking, what smoke? Where?”
She mentioned that the event seemed like a dream, and during the confusion, she repeatedly called her coworkers to check on their well-being.
The person who survived mentioned that her anxieties increased once it was evident that individuals were stuck inside the structure.
Calling two of the victims her sisters, she said, “It was a deeply painful and sorrowful experience. Yes, I lost a close sister. I lost sisters. No one wants that to happen, not even to their worst enemies. I still haven’t recovered from the shock, the trauma, and the fear of that day,” she added.
She, nevertheless, prayed for the souls of those who perished in the fire and offered solace to their families, emphasizing that only divine mercy supported those who survived.
“Thank you, Lord, for us who made it through. A million words won’t be enough to express our gratitude. Life is truly a journey, and it’s only with Grace that we manage it day by day,” she said.
The fire has heightened worries about safety protocols in Lagos’ densely populated business areas, where electrical issues, generator failures, and problems with inverters are frequently reported as ongoing dangers.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
