UBA breaks silence on fire incident at six-storey Afriland Tower

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has reacted to a fire incident at the six-storey Afriland Tower, Broad Street, Lagos Island, which houses one of its branches.

UBA, in a statement on Tuesday night said contrary to insinuations in the social media, Afriland Tower where the fire incident occurred was not its head office.

The bank said its head office remains UBA House on Marina.

It also added that there was no casualties from the fire incident.

UBA in the statement said, “We are aware of the fire incident at a building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which incidentally houses one of our many branches.

“As against reports on online and social media, the affected building is not the UBA House, Marina, the bank’s head office.

“We have ensured the safety and well-being of our staff and customers in the branch,” the statement read.

UBA added that enquiries could be directed to its official communication channels for clarification.

‘Nine Rescued’

Recall that the Lagos State Fire Service had in a statement on Tuesday evening said nine people were rescued from the fire incident at Afriland Tower.

The Fire Service, in a statement by its Deputy Controller-General Mr Ogabi Olajide stated that nine victims had been rescued in total, out of which five were successfully resuscitated.

He added that many of the people inside the tower escaped without any problem.

“A total of nine victims have been rescued, with five individuals successfully resuscitated.

“Several others escaped unhurt while efforts are currently ongoing to resuscitate the remaining four individuals, ” he said.

According to him, the incident was reported at exactly 1:38 p.m., and fire crews closest to the scene were immediately deployed there.

“After a call was received, fire crews from Ebute Elefun Fire Station and Sari Iganmu Fire Station responded.

“The fire originated in the inverter room located in the basement of the building, while smoke has spread across multiple floors and engulfed the structure,” he said.

However, videos posted on the social media from the fire incident had shown some of the occupants of the Tower jumping down in fear as smoke enveloped the building.

Some in the environs had offered them ladders and foamy materials for support while some stretched out their hands to catch them.

The videos also showed smoke billowing from upper floors of the building.