Polaris Bank has dismissed reports claiming that more than 34 people died in Thursday’s fire incident at its Broad Street branch on Lagos Island, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by its management, the bank clarified that the fire originated from a customer’s vehicle parked on the third floor of the building’s car park and was swiftly contained following the activation of emergency response procedures.
“A fire incident occurred today at the car park of our Broad Street Branch, Lagos, originating from a customer’s vehicle parked on the 3rd-floor car park.
“The fire was swiftly contained following the activation of our emergency response procedures and the prompt intervention of firefighters.
“We confirm that there were no casualties or fatalities. Reports claiming that over 34 persons were feared dead are false and misleading. Investigations into the incident are ongoing,” the statement read.
In a subsequent update, the bank again reassured customers and members of the public that no lives were lost in the incident.
“Following the fire incident at the Car Park of our Broad Street Branch, Lagos, we are pleased to confirm that the situation was swiftly contained and, thankfully, there were no casualties or fatalities.
“We appreciate the prompt response of emergency services.
“We urge the public to rely only on credible news platforms and our official channels for accurate information and disregard false reports circulating online,” the bank added.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had earlier confirmed that it extinguished the fire, which broke out at about 11:33 a.m. on the third floor of the 17-storey Polaris Bank building located at 61/65 Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said the blaze involved a stationary saloon car parked on the third-floor parking facility.
She stated that firefighters from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu fire stations were immediately deployed to the scene after the distress call was received.
According to her, the swift intervention of emergency responders prevented the fire from spreading to other vehicles and sections of the high-rise building.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has successfully extinguished a fire outbreak that occurred on the 3rd floor of the Polaris Bank Building, located at 61/65 Broad Street, Lagos Island.
“The incident was reported at approximately 11:33 hours and involved a stationary saloon car parked on the 3rd floor of the 17-storey building, which serves as a parking facility,” Adeseye stated.
She added that only the affected vehicle and its immediate surroundings were damaged.
“The only damage recorded was to the affected vehicle and its immediate surroundings. No casualties or injuries were reported.
“The firefighting operation has been successfully concluded, and normalcy has been fully restored to the area,” she said.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, while investigations are ongoing.
Polaris Bank expressed appreciation to emergency responders, staff, customers and stakeholders for their prompt response and support during the incident.
The bank also urged members of the public to disregard unverified reports circulating online and rely only on credible news platforms and its official communication channels for accurate information.
The incident comes against the backdrop of previous fire tragedies on Lagos Island, including the Great Nigeria Building fire at Balogun Market, where several casualties were recorded after the blaze spread through the high-rise structure.
However, both Polaris Bank and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service have maintained that Thursday’s incident at the Broad Street branch resulted in no deaths or injuries.
The post “Reports Of 34 Deaths False” — Polaris Bank, Lagos Fire Service Confirm No Casualties In Broad Street Branch Fire, Say Blaze Was Swiftly Contained appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
