A fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday afternoon triggered panic among workers and residents, with several people sustaining injuries while attempting to escape.
The incident, which occurred around 1:00 p.m. at the six-storey building that houses Afriland Properties Plc headquarters and a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), drew swift intervention from emergency services.
In an official statement, Afriland confirmed the fire, describing it as “deeply saddening” and noting that it began in the building’s inverter room. The company said emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), were promptly mobilised, helping to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.
Eyewitnesses reported that staff and customers were seen jumping from upper floors of the building in a desperate attempt to escape the thick smoke. According to fire officials, between seven and eight victims were rushed to hospital for treatment after inhaling smoke.
The LSFRS later confirmed that nine casualties were rescued, five of whom were successfully resuscitated.
“Victims were rescued from the third and fifth floors. Several people escaped unhurt, but four others are still being stabilised,” Deputy Controller General of the LSFRS, Ogabi Olajide, said.
He added that the fire, which spread to a parked Toyota Sienna and a motorcycle in the basement, had since been extinguished.
UBA also issued a clarification following viral reports suggesting that its Marina head office was affected.
“The affected building is not the UBA House, Marina, the Bank’s head office. We have ensured the safety and well-being of our staff and customers in the branch,” the bank stated.
Fire officials traced the source of the incident to an inverter battery in the basement. Federal Fire Service team leader, Mr Ehimen Momoh, warned organisations against storing inverter batteries close to generators or car parks, stressing the need for regular evacuation drills in high-rise buildings.
The fire outbreak, which disrupted business activities along Broad Street, one of Lagos Island’s busiest commercial corridors has renewed concerns over safety standards in high-density business districts.
Regulators have in recent years intensified calls for stricter enforcement of building safety codes, particularly for older high-rise structures across Lagos.
Authorities have promised a full investigation into the incident, while Afriland pledged to work closely with regulators and provide timely updates as more details emerge.
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