Panic broke out on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday after smoke from a basement fire forced the evacuation of occupants at Afriland Tower, a six-storey commercial building.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the smoke originated from the inverter room in the basement of the building.
Ogabi Olajide, Deputy Controller General of the service, said officials received a distress call at 1:38 p.m. and immediately dispatched crews from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations.
“The evacuation of occupants is in progress, while operations have concluded dousing earlier panic,” Olajide said in a statement.
Videos from the scene showed frightened occupants smashing windows and jumping down from upper floors as smoke spread rapidly. Onlookers rushed with ladders, foamy materials and outstretched arms to help those trapped inside.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic moments, with screams echoing across Broad Street as smoke billowed from the tower’s windows. Photos from the scene showed workers crowded on ledges, waving for help as firefighters worked to control the situation.
The fire service later confirmed that while the blaze was contained, smoke had already spread across several floors of the building.
