The six-storey building, Afriland Tower, on Broad Street, Marina, Lagos Island, housing the United Bank for Africa, went up in flames on Tuesday.
The inferno was said to have started from the inverter room located in the basement of the building before it spread to other floors.
Videos showed flames emitting from the six-storey building with bank employees seen climbing out of the window on a ladder to escape the inferno.
Confirming the fire outbreak, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in a statement by Deputy Controller General, Ogabi Olajide, said that efforts were ongoing to contain the fire.
Mr Olajide said, “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. Evacuation of occupants is in progress, while firefighting operations have doused the earlier panic prior to the arrival of first responders.’’
Watch the video below
A tragic reminder of the urgent need for stronger fire safety measures in high-rise offices; thankfully, prompt rescue efforts helped prevent greater loss of life.