LAGOS: A fire broke out on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, a high-rise building housing a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and several corporate offices, sparking panic in the Marina area of Lagos Island.
Videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising from the building as crowds gathered outside. In some clips, people were seen attempting to jump from upper floors, while others were rescued using ladders with the help of residents and passersby.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received the emergency call at 1:38 p.m. and immediately dispatched crews from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu fire stations.
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, the agency said in a statement signed by Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide.
According to officials, the fire originated in the inverter room located in the basement before spreading smoke to several floors. Evacuation of occupants was carried out as firefighting operations brought the situation under control.
As of press time, no fatalities had been officially reported. However, eyewitnesses confirmed that at least nine people were rescued, with some requiring medical revival after being brought out of the smoke-filled building.
UBA, which operates a branch in the building, later issued a clarification assuring customers and stakeholders that their staff were safe and that banking operations would continue without disruption.
The Afriland Towers incident highlights persistent fire safety challenges in Lagos’ commercial district, where aging infrastructure, electrical faults, and crowded workspaces often heighten risks.
