Panic broke out on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday afternoon when a fire erupted inside Afriland Tower, a six-storey office building that also houses a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
The fire, which started around 1:38 pm, began in the inverter room located in the building’s basement.
Thick smoke quickly spread upwards, filling the tower and forcing a hasty evacuation of staff and visitors. Videos from the scene showed smoke gushing out of windows as frightened occupants scrambled to safety, some even climbing out in fear.
Emergency responders moved fast. Fire crews from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations rushed to the scene, working together to contain the blaze before it could cause greater damage.
According to Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide, the swift response helped prevent loss of life. “The fire was brought under control, and thankfully, no casualties were recorded,” he confirmed.
Eyewitnesses praised the firefighters for their quick action, noting that the chaos and panic eased soon after their arrival.
For many, the incident was a reminder of the importance of strong emergency systems in Lagos, especially in high-rise buildings where hundreds of lives may be at risk.
