Access Bank PLC suffered a huge loss after millions of Naira were reportedly burnt to ashes when fire broke out and destroyed an Automated Teller Machine, ATM mounted at the bank branch premises.
The incident happened at the bank branch at the Ikotun area of Lagos. The cause of the fire which caused panic in the area was not yet known as the police have commenced investigation into the incident.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the fire started in the afternoon with heavy smoke covering the area through the two air conditioners mounted at the building. It then spread and burnt everything including the cash inside eight ATMs. The total amount of money burnt was not revealed by the bank staff who declined to give details.
However, sources at the bank said that each Automated Teller Machine used to contain at least between N3m to N5m and when put together the damage will be huge. When our correspondent visited the bank, the security men at the gate said that the manager was on leave and nobody was ready to speak to the reporter.
It was observed that the bank almost immediately resumed their normal operations as customers trooped to the place to see things for themselves.
One of the bank customer who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS said when she heard the news, she quickly rushed to the bank to ascertain whether to withdraw all her money. But from what she observed, she said that there was not much threat to the safety of the depositors money in the bank.
When P.M.EXPRESS visited the Police Division, the DPO was not around to comment but police sources confirmed the incident and said the police have commenced investigation to determine whether it was an act of sabotage. No arrest has so far been made but the bank officials have reported the incident.