Fire guts UBA branch in Lagos Island, staffs jump from Storey Building (Photo)

Panic gripped Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Monday as a six-storey building, Afriland Tower, housing the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and other offices, was engulfed by fire.

According to reports, several staff members and occupants narrowly escaped death, while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. The incident quickly gained attention as videos of the fire trended across social media platforms.

Confirming the development, Ogabi Olajide, Deputy Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said emergency teams swiftly responded to the distress call.

“A fire outbreak is currently being battled at a six-storey building on Afriland Tower, Broad Street, Lagos Island. The call was received at 13:38 hours, and fire crews from Ebute Elefun Fire Station and Sari Iganmu Fire Station responded,” Olajide stated.

He explained that the fire originated in the inverter room located in the basement, with smoke spreading across multiple floors and engulfing the structure.

“Evacuation of occupants is in progress, while firefighting operations have been concluded, dousing the earlier panic before the arrival of the first responders,” he added.