The multi-storey building of the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) in the Yaba area of mainland Lagos, is on fire.
Many people are feared trapped in the building as the fire rages on. Emergency responders have arrived the scene to put out the fire.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, with some reports suggesting that a power surge in one of the offices led to the inferno.
UPDATE: The fire has been brought under control and rescue operations are ongoing.
Seven persons have so far been rescued.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that the fire was caused by a “power surge.”
“Upon arrival at the aforementioned location, a section of the WAEC HQ multi-storey building was found to be on fire,” the agency says.
“Further investigations revealed that the fire started on the 3rd floor of the 12-storey building due to a power surge.
“A total of seven female staff of the Corporation were trapped on the 5th and 7th floors and were safely evacuated due to the swift response of the Rescue team on the ground. The fire has also been put off and dampening down concluded.”
A post-disaster assessment and staff headcount are ongoing, the agency added.
“The combined efforts of the Agency’s team alongside the Agency’s Paramedics, LASG FIRE, FED FIRE, UNILAG FIRE, LASAMBUS, and LASTMA are on the ground to ensure a swift recovery,” LASEMA said. “Recovery operation ongoing.”