The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced it is in a state of mourning following the tragic death of four of its staff members in a fire incident on Tuesday.
The fire broke out at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, where some of the agency’s offices are located, prompting deep sorrow throughout the FIRS community.
The incident occurred on the sixth and seventh floors of the high-rise building, which houses the FIRS’s Medium Tax Audit Office and the Onikan Emerging Tax Office.
The agency confirmed the loss in a condolence message posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, expressing profound sadness over the unfortunate event.
According to the FIRS statement, its security and safety officials acted swiftly by contacting the fire service as soon as the fire was detected. However, by the time emergency responders arrived at the scene, a thick cloud of smoke had already spread throughout the building, complicating rescue efforts.
While the FIRS lost four of its personnel, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reported that other individuals in the building were successfully evacuated.
According to the fire service, a total of nine people were rescued from the blaze, five of whom had to be resuscitated by emergency crews, while others managed to escape the building unhurt.
In its official communication, the FIRS management extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, honouring the memory of the departed colleagues for their “professionalism and dedication.”
The agency stated that it is in close contact with the bereaved families and has pledged to provide every necessary support during this difficult period.In response to the tragedy, the FIRS has also announced that it is undertaking a comprehensive review of its safety protocols.
The service is strengthening safety measures across all its offices nationwide, both rented and owned, to safeguard its staff and prevent a recurrence of such a devastating incident.
