United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA, has reacted to reports of a fire outbreak at one of its branches in Lagos.
Reports early Tuesday said chaos broke out on Lagos Island as smoke engulfed the bank branch forcing some staff to leap from the upper floors in a desperate attempt to escape.
Responding, the bank in a statement stated that it is aware of the fire incident at a building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which incidentally houses one of its branches.
“As against reports 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 bank disclosed in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service says it rescued nine casualties from the fire at the six-storey building on Afriland Tower, Broad Street, Lagos Island.
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The Deputy Controller-General of the agency, Mr Ogabi Olajide, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
He stated that nine victims had been rescued in total, out of which five were successfully resuscitated.
“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.
NAN
