A branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA) on Broad Street, Lagos Island, was engulfed by fire on Tuesday, sending panic across the busy commercial district as staff and customers scrambled to safety.
Trending videos that surfaced online showed frightened bank workers attempting to escape through windows, with some seen jumping from the storey building to evade the raging flames.
As at press time, the cause of the fire was yet to be established, while emergency responders continued frantic efforts to contain the inferno which threatened adjoining buildings.
UBA, in a swift reaction through its official handle on X, confirmed the incident but clarified that contrary to social media claims, the bank’s corporate head office on Marina was not affected.
The bank stated: “We are aware of the fire incident at a building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which incidentally houses one of our many branches in Lagos Island. As against reports on online and social media, the affected building is not UBA House, Marina, the Bank’s head office. We have ensured the safety and well-being of our branch staff, customers and other visitors in the building.”
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the extent of damage or possible casualties as efforts to fully extinguish the blaze continued late into the evening.
