Panic gripped Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday when smoke from a basement fire scare forced evacuation at a six-storey building.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said that the fire originated in the inverter room located in Afriland Tower’s basement.

Deputy Controller General, Ogabi Olajide, said the service received a call at 13:38 hours before fire crews swiftly mobilised to the scene.

According to him, firefighters from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations responded promptly, preventing the outbreak from escalating beyond smoke-filled floors.

“Evacuation of occupants is in progress, while operations have concluded dousing earlier panic,” Olajide stated in his official briefing.

Videos from the scene captured frantic occupants jumping down in fear, while onlookers rushed with ladders and foamy materials for support.

Trapped workers smashed glass windows to breathe, while residents below stretched out their hands to catch them.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic moments, with screams echoing across Broad Street as smoke spread rapidly through the upper floors.

Photos from the incident also showed smoke billowing from upper floors, with some windows forced open for ventilation.

Several occupants crowded at windows and on ledges, escaping dense smoke that spread rapidly through the structure.

The fire service later confirmed the blaze, though smoke had already spread across several floors, engulfing the structure. (Channels TV, but headline rejigged)

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