Nine people were rescued and five successfully revived after a fire broke out at Afriland Tower, an eight-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the development in a statement on its X handle Tuesday evening, noting that some occupants escaped without injury.
It stated: “A total of nine victims have been rescued. Five individuals have been successfully resuscitated. Several others escaped unhurt while efforts are currently ongoing to resuscitate remaining four individuals.”
Earlier reports indicated that the blaze originated from the building’s basement inverter room before spreading thick smoke through multiple floors, forcing an immediate evacuation after a distress call was received at about 13:38 hours.
Videos shared on social media captured dense smoke and chaotic scenes as residents and passersby aided evacuations ahead of the arrival of emergency teams.
According to the Service, its operatives later contained the fire while search, rescue, and medical operations continued at the scene.