Panic swept through Lagos Island on Thursday after a fire broke out at the Polaris Bank Tower located on Broad Street, forcing occupants and nearby business operators to evacuate the area.
The incident occurred at the 17-storey commercial building situated at 61/65 Broad Street, with thick smoke seen rising from the structure as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Videos shared on social media showed anxious occupants leaving the building while firefighters worked to bring the situation under control.
Emergency Responders Contain Blaze
The fire reportedly started around 11:45 a.m., prompting a swift response from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency management agencies.
Firefighters were deployed immediately to prevent the blaze from spreading to other sections of the building and neighbouring properties in the busy commercial district.
Authorities later confirmed that the fire had been successfully extinguished.
Fire Originated from Vehicle on Third Floor
Providing an update on the incident, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, disclosed that the fire originated from a stationary saloon car parked on the third floor of the building, which also serves as a parking facility.
According to her, the emergency was reported at about 11:33 a.m., and firefighters from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations responded promptly.
“Firefighters from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations swiftly contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to other vehicles and sections of the building,” she said.
No Lives Lost
Adeseye stated that only the affected vehicle and its immediate surroundings sustained damage during the incident.
She confirmed that no casualties or injuries were recorded, while the rapid intervention of emergency personnel helped minimise losses.
Normalcy Restored
Following the successful firefighting operation, authorities announced that the situation had been brought under control and normal activities resumed in the area.
By 3 p.m., emergency teams had concluded operations and restored normalcy around the building.
The cause of the vehicle fire has not yet been officially disclosed, although investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The latest fire outbreak highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid response mechanisms in densely populated commercial districts such as Lagos Island.