A fire outbreak at a Lagos branch of United Bank for Africa forced staff and customers to evacuate through windows as the blaze spread across several floors.
Videos circulating online showed people leaping from the upper levels, while others were assisted to safety. Emergency teams confirmed no lives were lost in the incident.
Investigations revealed the fire began in the inverter room located in the basement before spreading rapidly across the bank’s offices.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said its operatives moved swiftly to contain the outbreak. “Our intervention stopped the fire from extending to nearby structures,” the agency stated.
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The incident has renewed concerns over inverter safety in homes and offices. Experts warn that poor ventilation, wrong installation, and substandard components often trigger such hazards.
Specialists recommend keeping inverters in ventilated spaces, avoiding flammable materials nearby, and ensuring certified technicians handle installations and routine checks.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has repeatedly urged compliance with safety standards and the use of original equipment to protect lives and property.
The UBA fire highlights the urgent need for stricter adherence to regulations governing inverter use in Nigeria’s commercial and residential buildings.
