‘Can he make it’: Panic as UBA worker crashes to ground fleeing Lagos fire

A dramatic escape unfolded at the UBA branch on Lagos Island as two employees fled a raging fire by leaping from a building window. While one man landed safely, the second suffered a serious fall, raising concerns about his state.

The incident occurred recently when a fire broke out in the UBA office. One worker successfully jumped to safety, but his colleague, noticeably heavier, struggled as he tried to descend. Eyewitnesses described how the man attempted to jump while carrying his belongings, but his leg twisted mid-air. This caused him to miss the helping hands waiting below and to fall headfirst onto the ground.

Rescue attempts to help the injured employee to stand during the incident were unsuccessful, and frustration was visible among those present. A fellow staff member was seen throwing a chair in anger, distraught that his colleague could not regain footing. The final moments of the fall circulated rapidly on social media, with viewers expressing fear and hoping for the man’s recovery.

Dawn Herald independently sought and gathered comments from Nigerians, particularly the online community, to provide a balanced perspective on the recent fire outbreak at the UBA Lagos branch.

@Ony1nyechi, with the X username “Last B 🌼🌸” lamented;

Watching these videos from UBA fire accident in Lagos island has further stamped my belief that this country is gone.
A whole  “Tinubu’s well planned Lagos” no get emergency fire service response 🤦🏽‍♀️

No be to dey brag about Lagos oo

@EfunnugaAdeboye, with the X username Adeboye Efunniyin Efunnuga wrote:

Uhmmmm, the Lagos built by jagaban, using ladder to rescue people from what floor again? Unfortunately, our leaders uses divide and rule tactics to get few of us to defend their failures but when it’s time to suffer the consequences, we all suffer it togetherAdeboye Efunniyin Efunnuga

Another X user @obi_nnewi, with the username obiwankenobi wrote:

Who the f^ck was laughing, but dem no get fire alarm? No fire procedures or safety? Omo this is crazy as f^ck

This event calls for urgent need for better safety measures and emergency protocols in every office building. The public, especially the online community awaits updates on the injured worker’s condition, and calls for improved fire prevention planning, as investigations about the fire outburst continue.