Fire Guts UBA Branch, Mandilas Plaza in Lagos, Scores Injured

Tragedy struck Lagos Island on Tuesday as a fire engulfed the six-storey Afriland Tower, home to a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and several other offices, leaving scores injured.

In a separate but related incident, another inferno gutted Mandilas Plaza, also located on Broad Street, causing a section of the building to collapse.

Videos shared on social media and monitored by Brezenson Media captured chaotic scenes, with some individuals leaping from upper floors in desperate attempts to escape the flames. Others were rescued by residents, emergency responders, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service using ladders and other emergency tools.

As of press time, the extent of casualties and property loss had not been officially confirmed, though eyewitnesses described the blaze as one of the most severe in recent times on Lagos Island.

Emergency officials are still on ground battling the fire, while investigations into the cause of the incidents have commenced.