A major fire broke out on Monday afternoon at Afriland Tower, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, sparking panic among occupants and passersby.

The blaze, which reportedly started in the inverter room located in the basement, quickly spread smoke across several floors, forcing workers and visitors to scramble for safety. Some occupants were seen attempting to jump through windows before firefighters arrived.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed receiving a distress call at 1:38 p.m. Fire crews from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations responded swiftly, joining Federal Fire Service personnel to battle the flames and coordinate evacuations.

Officials say the fire has been contained. However, engineers are now assessing the structural safety of the building before anyone can return.

Afriland Tower, which houses banks and offices, is one of the busiest buildings on Lagos Island. The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety standards in commercial complexes across the state.