Panic gripped Broad Street, Lagos Island, yesterday after a fire outbreak at Afriland Tower forced staff of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and other occupants to leap from the upper floors of the six-storey building in a desperate bid for safety.
The blaze, which started around 1:00 p.m. in the basement of the building, was traced to an inverter battery. It quickly spread to a parked Toyota Sienna and a motorcycle, both of which were completely destroyed before firemen arrived.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) said it received a distress call at 1:38 p.m. and immediately dispatched firefighters from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations. Evacuation procedures were activated as thick smoke engulfed multiple floors, leaving several victims gasping for air.
“Between seven and eight victims were rushed to the hospital after collapsing from smoke inhalation,” said Mr. Ehimen Momoh, team leader of the Federal Fire Service unit from Ebute Metta. He explained that victims were rescued from the third and fifth floors, while firefighters battled to calm the panic and contain the blaze with foam compound.
Momoh cautioned organisations against storing inverter batteries near generators or car parks and advised regular evacuation drills to avert future tragedies.
In a statement, UBA clarified that the affected building was not its Marina Head Office but a branch housed in Afriland Tower. “We have ensured the safety and well-being of our staff and customers in the branch,” the bank said.
The LSFRS later confirmed that nine casualties were rescued from the inferno, five of whom were successfully resuscitated. “Several people escaped unhurt, while efforts are ongoing to stabilise the remaining victims,” the service said.
Deputy Controller General of the LSFRS, Ogabi Olajide, added that firefighting operations had been concluded and normalcy restored to the area.
