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DOCUNEWS CENTRAL
Date: September 17, 2025
Fire at Afriland Tower, Lagos: UBA Branch Hit, Nine Rescued; Full Details & Official Reports
A serious fire broke out on September 16, 2025, at Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The blaze occurred at the branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA) located within the building. Thanks to quick response by fire service teams and cooperation from staff and occupants, nine people were rescued. UBA says its head office at Marina was not affected. Below is a full, detailed account of what happened, what has been confirmed, and what is still under investigation.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
13:38 Hours – The Emergency Control Centre of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) received a call about a fire at Afriland Tower. The caller indicated smoke and flames possibly coming from the basement or lower levels.
Shortly after call – Fire trucks were dispatched from two fire stations — Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu.
Fire origin found – Firefighting teams discovered that the fire began in the inverter room in the basement of the building.
Spread of smoke – Once the fire started, thick smoke began to move upwards. It filled stairwells and corridors. People on upper floors had difficulty breathing and visibility dropped.
Evacuation and rescue efforts – Occupants began to flee. Some used the staircases, others climbed out of windows to find safer exits. Fire crews worked with occupants to rescue trapped people.
Rescued individuals – Nine persons were rescued overall. Five of them were found very weak or unresponsive, and were resuscitated by first responders. Four others remained in critical condition.
After containment – Firefighters extinguished the fire, cleared smoke, and began assessment of damage. As at latest reports, no death has been confirmed.
WHAT UBA OFFICIALS CONFIRMED
UBA issued an official statement in response to the incident, clarifying several key points:
The fire was at their branch located in Afriland Tower, Broad Street. There was no damage to their head office at Marina, also known as UBA House.
Staff members, customers, and visitors at the affected branch were safely evacuated. No injuries beyond what was already reported.
UBA expressed concern for those who were affected, especially the four in critical state, and said it would assist them as needed.
The bank urged the public to disregard rumours or speculation about damage to other properties, especially their Marina head office. It emphasized that information should come only from official sources.
OWNER STATEMENT: AFRILAND PROPERTIES
Afriland Properties Ltd., the owner of Afriland Tower, also released a public statement confirming parts of what already emerged:
They confirmed that the fire started in the inverter room in the basement.
Their on-site safety team was among the first at the scene, and worked with fire services to contain the blaze.
They acknowledged damage to basement areas and to common areas affected by smoke. Stairwells and upper floors were impacted by smoke and possible water damage from firefighting efforts.
Afriland Properties said it will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause, assess how fire safety measures performed, and understand where improvements are needed.
FIRE SERVICE REPORT & RESCUE OPERATION
Deputy Controller-General Ogabi Olajide of LSFRS gave more details:
Nine people were rescued from the building. Five were resuscitated on site. Four remained in critical medical condition.
The fire service noted that once the fire was reported, the team arrived quickly, working through heavy smoke and difficult access.
Firefighting operations involved using breathing apparatus, ladders, and opening windows to vent smoke.
After extinguishing active flames, crews still needed to clear smoke, inspect the integrity of staircases and exits, and ensure no lingering hotspots.
WITNESSES AND ON-SCENE ACCOUNTS
Witnesses described a “cloud of thick smoke” filling entire corridors and stairwells soon after the basement caught fire. Visibility dropped sharply. People coughed, choked. Some could not see more than a few feet ahead.
Many occupants fled via stairwells, but some were forced to exit through windows on upper floors. A few people were seen leaping out where they feared being trapped.
First-aid volunteers and passers-by assisted in bringing rescued people out. Some helped carry people from windows or lifted them onto ladders used by fire crews.
Video footage circulating on social media showed flames and smoke at basement level, with some emergency lighting and alarms visible. The sound of alarms and people shouting for help can be heard.
DAMAGES AND LOSSES
Structural damage appears to be concentrated in the basement inverter room. Electrical equipment is likely destroyed or badly damaged.
Smoke damage has been reported on floors above the basement. Walls, ceilings, corridors, stairwells show signs of soot and smoke staining.
Some water damage from firefighting efforts is expected — water used to extinguish flames often floods lower levels and seeps upward.
Vehicles in the basement parking area also suffered damage. Some cars were reportedly burned; others may have water or smoke damage.
The exact financial loss (for property, equipment, stock, or possessions) is yet to be assessed. Afriland Properties and UBA are expected to work with assessors and insurers.
HEALTH & MEDICAL STATUS OF RESCUED PERSONS
Out of the nine persons rescued: five were found in extremely poor condition — semi-conscious or unconscious — and were resuscitated by first response teams on site.
The other four are in serious/troubling condition. Their breathing, smoke inhalation, possible burns or shock are concerns. They have been taken to medical facilities for emergency care.
There is no public record yet of long-term injuries or follow-up status beyond “in critical condition.” Authorities and hospital sources have said they are monitoring them.
CLARIFICATIONS AND RUMORS ADDRESSED
Because the fire was major and images circulated on social media, misinformation spread. Official sources have firmly denied several false claims:
Claim: UBA’s head office at Marina was damaged. Fact: UBA House, Marina, was not involved. The fire was confined to the branch in Afriland Tower.
Claim: Many people died. Fact: No deaths have been verified by the fire service or UBA. The known count is nine rescued; four critical.
Claim: The fire was from a bomb or explosion. Fact: The origin is electrical — specifically from the inverter room with batteries. No evidence of explosive device has been presented.
FIRE SAFETY OBSERVATIONS & LESSONS
The incident underscores several points about fire safety, especially in multi-storey commercial buildings:
- Inverter and generator rooms must follow strict safety codes. These rooms often have large batteries, electrical circuits, risk of short-circuits. Fire resistance, proper containment, non-flammable materials, ventilation, automatic suppression or extinguishing systems help.
- Smoke control and ventilation are vital. Once smoke spreads, visibility drops, breathing becomes dangerous, and evacuation becomes harder. Stairwells need to be smoke-proof or have ventilation that keeps smoke from climbing.
- Alarms, detection, and rapid response matter. Quickly detecting fire, alerting occupants, and having staffed safety teams can reduce casualties.
- Clear escape routes. Stairwells, exits, emergency escape windows or balconies should be kept clear. Blocked exits or locked doors make escape impossible.
- Training and drills. Occupants need training on what to do in fire — evacuation routes, basic first aid, how to assist others.
- Maintenance of firefighting equipment. Fire extinguishers, sprinklers (if installed), alarms, emergency lights, external escape ladders — all must be functional.
EXPECTED NEXT STEPS
Full official investigation by Afriland Properties and Lagos State Fire and Rescue. They must identify whether building codes were adhered to, if safety features worked as expected, and if there were any lapses in maintenance.
Review by UBA of branch operations: ensuring backup power systems are safe, emergency instructions are visible, staff know what to do.
Medical follow-up for rescued persons. Hospitals will monitor smoke inhalation effects, possible burns, shock, and any lung or respiratory damage.
Public update from fire service and bank once more information is verified — number of injured, details of property loss, any structural damage that may affect neighboring buildings or public safety.
Insurance assessments for damaged equipment, property, and vehicles.
CONTEXT AND IMPORTANCE
Afriland Tower is located in a busy commercial zone. Broad Street is a hub for banks, shops, offices. A fire there has ripple effects:
Traffic disruption during the response. Roads blocked by fire engines and emergency crews.
Business interruption: nearby shops and offices were forced to close or reduce operations temporarily.
Financial risk: for the bank branch, customers, and property owners.
Public safety reminders: Many buildings in Lagos operate backup power systems (inverters, generators). They are essential due to frequent power outages, but must be handled safely.
CONCLUSION: ACCURATE SUMMARY
On September 16, 2025:
A fire started in the inverter room in the basement of Afriland Tower.
The fire caused smoke to spread to upper floors; stairwells and corridors were filled.
Fire teams from LSFRS (Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu) responded soon after the call at 13:38 hours.
Nine people were rescued: five resuscitated, four in critical condition. No confirmed death.
UBA’s head office (Marina) was not affected.
Building owner (Afriland Properties) and fire service confirmed the cause is electrical/inverter related.
Investigations underway; building safety under review.
Public encouraged to trust only verified reports from UBA, LSFRS, and Afriland Properties.
DocuNews Central will continue to monitor this story. As more verified details emerge—on injuries, damage, cause, safety improvements—we will publish updates. We aim to maintain accuracy, clarity, and keep readers informed with facts only.
