The incident, captured in multiple videos circulating on social media from various angles, showed thick smoke pouring from the high-rise building as panic spread throughout the busy commercial area.
In one of the clips, several individuals, whose identities remain unknown, were seen attempting to jump from the building, while others were rescued by residents and passersby using a ladder.
A crowd were spotted at the front of the building as they were seen panicking.
Confirming the incident in a statement, signed by Deputy Controller General, Ogabi Olajide, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said its operatives were battling the fire at the six-storey building located on Broad Street.
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“A fire outbreak is currently being battled at a six-storey building on Afriland Tower, Broad Street, Lagos Island. The call was received at 13:38 hours, and fire crews from Ebute Elefun Fire Station and Sari Iganmu Fire Station responded,” it partly read.
It explained that the fire started in the inverter room in the basement before smoke spread across multiple floors and engulfed the structure.
“Evacuation of occupants is in progress, while firefighting operations has been concluded dousing the earlier panic before the arrival of the first responders,” it added.
As of press time, no casualties had been officially confirmed.
