A survivor of the recent fire at Afriland Tower in Lagos has recounted her harrowing experience while also describing the incident as traumatic.
PUNCH Metro reported that the incident, which was a result of a smoke that emanated from the inverter room domiciled in the building, claimed 10 lives, while others sustained injuries.
According to multiple videos shared on social media and seen by PUNCH Metro, individuals were seen attempting to jump from the Afriland Tower storey building, while others were rescued with the aid of ladders by residents and passersby.
The account, shared on Facebook by her sister, Ronnie Ojo, revealed that she had been too shaken to speak about the tragedy for days before finally opening up.
Ronnie, who posted screenshots of her sister’s narration, believed to have been originally shared on WhatsApp, wrote, “The Afriland Tower fire incident left my sister traumatised for days, but thankfully, she’s finally opened up about it and is doing well now.”
In her narration, the survivor, whose name was not disclosed, recalled how the day started like any other Tuesday.
She claimed to have braved the downpour and long drive to work while she also attended a scheduled meeting, and settled into her routine tasks, unaware of the danger ahead.
“Hmmmmm. These past days have been so hard! You woke up in the morning to go to work amidst the heavy rainfall, long distance drive, and a long, already scheduled Tuesday meeting. You aced your meeting, moved to your other routine tasks for the day…in your head, you are happy that the day is gradually crawling by…so uncertain of the unknown that is coming. Midway to close of work, you are told to leave the building, because there is smoke coming from downstairs. I was like, which smoke? Where?”
She stated that the incident felt like a dream, and in the confusion, she kept calling colleagues to confirm their safety.
The survivor added that her fears worsened when it became clear that people were trapped inside the building.
Describing two of the casualties as sisters, she stated, “It was a very traumatic and sad experience. Yes, I lost a close sister. I lost sisters. Nobody wishes for that to happen, even to their worst enemies. I still can’t get over the shock, the trauma, and the anxiety of that day,” she said.
She, however, prayed for the souls of those who died in the fire and comfort for their families, noting that only God’s grace sustained those who escaped.
“For us who survived, Lord, we are grateful. A million words will never be enough to appreciate you. Life is indeed a journey, and it only takes Grace to go through it day by day,” she added.
The fire added to growing concerns over safety standards in Lagos’ high-density commercial centres, where incidents of electrical faults, generator malfunctions, and inverter-related accidents have been cited as recurring risks.
PUNCH.
