Fire Razes Four-Storey Building on Lagos Island – Mandilas Building Incident

Punchngs July 29, 2025

Fire Razes Four-Storey Building on Lagos Island – Mandilas Building Incident

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A comprehensive report on the Emab Plaza fire outbreak and the swift response by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

Late on Tuesday evening, a massive fire outbreak engulfed the fourth floor of Emab Plaza, a four-storey commercial building located directly behind the popular Mandilas Building on Taiwo Street, Lagos Island. According to official sources, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire was reported at 7:23 PM, prompting an immediate and large-scale emergency response.

The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of densely populated commercial hubs on Lagos Island, where business activities often stretch late into the evening and infrastructural challenges increase the risk of fire hazards.

In a prompt display of preparedness, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service swiftly dispatched its fire crews from the Ebute Elefun and Oniru Fire Stations to the scene. The quick mobilization of emergency responders prevented the situation from escalating further and protected adjacent properties from being consumed by the inferno.

Fire Razes Four-Storey Building on Lagos Island – Mandilas Building Incident

According to the Deputy Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Olajide Ogabi, the blaze originated from the fourth floor of Emab Plaza. Firefighters worked relentlessly to contain the flames, ensuring that the fire did not spread to other parts of the building or nearby structures within the bustling commercial area.

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As at the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the fire outbreak remains unknown. Investigations by fire experts and emergency agencies are expected to commence once the building is declared safe. Lagos State authorities have appealed to the public, particularly residents and traders in the area, to exercise caution and avoid the vicinity to ensure their safety and allow emergency workers to complete their operations.

No casualties have been reported so far, which has been attributed to the swift evacuation efforts by both emergency responders and occupants of the building. Nevertheless, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has reassured the public that it will release official updates as new information emerges.

The Emab Plaza fire incident comes just a few hours after another fire outbreak rocked Afriland Tower, a six-storey building on Broad Street, also located on Lagos Island. The Afriland Tower incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, saw emergency services respond to a blaze that affected parts of the building housing one of the branches of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

Fire Razes Four-Storey Building on Lagos Island – Mandilas Building Incident

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reported that the Afriland Tower fire was first logged at approximately 1:38 PM. Crews from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations were immediately deployed to contain the situation. According to the agency, at least nine victims were rescued from the scene, with several others treated on site for smoke inhalation and other related conditions.

The back-to-back incidents underscore the importance of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in safeguarding lives and property across the state. Their swift and coordinated actions in both the Emab Plaza and Afriland Tower fires prevented the tragedies from escalating into large-scale disasters. In the Emab Plaza case, fire crews were able to limit the destruction to the fourth floor, despite the potential for the blaze to spread further due to the densely packed commercial environment.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has consistently advised residents, business owners, and property managers to adhere to strict fire safety guidelines, including the installation of functioning fire alarms, routine inspection of electrical installations, and clear evacuation plans in high-rise buildings.

The Mandilas area of Lagos Island is one of the busiest commercial districts in Nigeria, known for its bustling markets and high concentration of business offices. Incidents like the Emab Plaza fire have a significant impact on business continuity, as traders, shoppers, and office workers are forced to evacuate and operations are disrupted for extended periods.

Fire Razes Four-Storey Building on Lagos Island – Mandilas Building Incident

Many stakeholders have called for stricter enforcement of building codes and regular inspections of commercial properties to reduce the risk of such fire outbreaks. Business owners also emphasize the need for better infrastructure and the presence of adequate firefighting equipment within commercial buildings.

Experts have highlighted several measures that can be taken to prevent future fire incidents in areas like Mandilas and Broad Street:

Routine inspection of electrical and mechanical installations to identify potential hazards early.
Mandatory fire drills for occupants of high-rise buildings to ensure prompt evacuation during emergencies.
Installation of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems in commercial properties.
Improved coordination between building owners, tenants, and emergency services.
Public education campaigns on fire safety and emergency response procedures.

By implementing these safety measures, Lagos Island’s commercial hubs can significantly reduce the risk of fire disasters and ensure that when incidents occur, they are swiftly contained with minimal loss of life and property.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has assured the public that it will conduct a thorough investigation into the Emab Plaza fire outbreak to identify its cause and recommend preventive actions for the future. Residents and stakeholders are urged to cooperate fully with investigators to expedite the process.

Authorities have also reiterated their commitment to improving emergency response capacity across Lagos State. Recent upgrades to fire stations and the acquisition of new firefighting equipment are part of ongoing reforms aimed at bolstering safety in high-risk urban centers.

The fire that razed the fourth floor of Emab Plaza behind Mandilas Building on Lagos Island serves as a stark reminder of the constant threat posed by fire outbreaks in densely populated commercial districts. However, the swift and effective response of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service prevented a potential catastrophe and safeguarded countless lives and properties.

As Lagos continues to grow as Nigeria’s commercial capital, stakeholders must prioritize fire safety, regulatory compliance, and public awareness to minimize the risks of similar incidents in the future. The lessons from both the Emab Plaza and Afriland Tower fire outbreaks should guide policy reforms, infrastructural improvements, and community engagement to build a safer, more resilient Lagos Island.