The management of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has clarified reports surrounding the fire incident that occurred on Broad Street, Lagos Island, stressing that the affected building is not its head office.
Social media had been awash with claims that UBA’s head office on Marina was the one engulfed by fire.
In a statement signed by the Group Head, Media and External Relations, Mr. Ramon Nasir, the bank explained that while a fire did break out at a building on Broad Street, which also houses one of its branches, the structure is not its corporate headquarters.
According to him, the safety and well-being of staff, customers, and visitors in the affected building have been ensured.
Eyewitnesses said several workers were trapped when the fire broke out at the Afriland Building on Broad Street yesterday.
Viral videos showed people jumping from windows in a desperate bid to escape the blaze, as thick smoke and flames rose into the sky.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received a distress call at 1:38 p.m., after which fire crews from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations responded promptly.
Preliminary reports indicate the fire originated from the inverter room in the basement, with smoke quickly spreading across multiple floors and engulfing much of the structure.
Reporting by Innocent Onoh