Panic erupted on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday after smoke from a basement fire forced the evacuation of Afrilan Towers, a six-storey office building housing, among others, a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the incident began in the inverter room of Afriland Tower’s basement. Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide confirmed that the agency received a distress call at 1:38 p.m., after which fire crews from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations were swiftly deployed. Their prompt response ensured the outbreak did not escalate beyond smoke-filled floors.

“Evacuation of occupants is in progress, while operations have concluded dousing earlier panic,” Olajide said in an official briefing.

Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as frightened occupants smashed windows for air, jumped from ledges, and were pulled to safety by onlookers using ladders and makeshift supports. Videos captured residents below rushing forward with mattresses and foamy materials to help those escaping the smoke. Screams echoed across Broad Street as the dense fumes spread rapidly through upper floors.

Photos from the scene showed smoke billowing out of windows, with trapped occupants clinging to ledges before being evacuated. Videos recorded by bystanders show some of the workers jumping for fear for their lives.

In a statement later that night, UBA confirmed that no casualties were recorded, stressing that the incident had been misreported on social media as occurring at its head office, UBA House, Marina.

“We are aware of the fire incident at a building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which houses one of our many branches. Contrary to online reports, the affected building is not UBA House, Marina, our head office. We have ensured the safety and well-being of our staff and customers at the branch,” the bank said.

A senior emergency official, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity, described the fire as minor. According to him, the situation was largely under control even before emergency responders arrived.

“By the time responders got there, even the UBA staff had taken care of it. It was more smoke than fire, and it had been quickly contained,” the official said.

The Lagos State Fire Service later confirmed that although flames had been contained, smoke had spread across several floors, forcing the large-scale evacuation.