Fire guts Ecobank head office in Lagos

Staff, customers and other visitors at the Ecobank Head Office at Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island narrowly escaped death Tuesday morning after a 33,000 litres tanker laden with diesel (AGO) cut fire.

It was gathered that the tanker which was trans-loading its content cut fire around the Generator house within the Bank’s premises.

Although emergency responders say the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, there are speculations that one of the generators was on as at the time the trans-loading was taking place which resulted in the explosion.

When our correspondent visited the bank, there was a huge thick smoke bellowing in the air while staff, visitors, customers and passers- by were seen standing at a safe distance outside the bank.

A source at the bank said “we heard the fire alarm and we all ran out of the banking hall. I learnt the fire outbreak was caused by the diesel generating set. The generating set is on fire but has not spread to the building”.

According to the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Adesina Tiamiyu a distress call on the incident was received at about 8:54 am.

Tiamiyu said, “The Agency received a distress call at about 8.54 am on 31st July, 2018, through the emergency toll free line 112/767 concerning a fire outbreak in the premises of Eco Bank, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“Its responders mobilized to the incident scene immediately. Upon arrival at the scene of incident it was discovered that a 33,000 Ltrs tanker laden with diesel (AGO) while trans-loading its content cut fire around the Generator house within the Bank’s premises.

“The immediate cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained. However, investigation is being conducted to ascertain the actual cause of the inferno”

Emergency Responders which includes Lagos State fire Service, LASEMA Response Unit Fire Unit, Federal Fire Service, UBA Fire Service Julius Berger Fire service, NNPC Fire Service were all on ground to combat the inferno and prevent it from escalating to adjoining building.

The LASEMA boss further disclosed that neither casualties nor loss of life was recorded as the inferno was completely brought under control.

“The main structure within the bank premises was also not affected.

Dampening of the affected area is still ongoing as at the time of reporting,” he stated.