A section of Afriland Towers, which houses a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and other companies in the Marina area of Lagos Island, was engulfed by fire on Monday.
Videos shared on social media from multiple angles showed thick smoke billowing from the high-rise building, sparking panic across the bustling commercial hub.
In one of the clips, some yet-to-be-identified individuals were seen attempting to jump from the storey building, while others were rescued with the help of ladders by residents and passersby.
A crowd gathered in front of the building, visibly panicked as the fire spread.
Confirming the incident in a statement signed by Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said its operatives were battling the fire at the six-storey building on Broad Street.
“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 statement partly read.
The agency explained that the fire originated in the inverter room in the basement before smoke spread across multiple floors and engulfed the structure.
“Evacuation of occupants is in progress, while firefighting operations has been concluded dousing the earlier panic before the arrival of the first responders,” it added.
As of press time, no casualties had been confirmed.