The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that the fire engulfing the Christ Embassy Church in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, has been successfully controlled.
Earlier on Sunday, News About Nigeria reported the incident, noting that LSFRS officials were on-site to extinguish the flames.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Adeseye provided updates, confirming no casualties.
“At 07:27 hours, a fire outbreak was reported at the Christ Embassy Church located on Billings Way, Ikeja,” Adeseye stated.
“Firefighting units from Alausa and Ikeja fire stations were promptly dispatched and arrived at the scene by 07:36 hours. The church auditorium was found to be engulfed in flames. The fire is currently under control.”
Adeseye mentioned that parts of the building were demolished to ensure complete extinguishment and prevent structural collapse.
“LASEMA’s excavator is being used to pull down some parts of the building to ensure complete extinguishment and to prevent further structural collapse. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are underway to ascertain its origin. No casualties have been reported at this time. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President and founder of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, addressed the incident during a live Sunday service at the church’s campground in Asese.
Pastor Oyakhilome said that events in a believer’s life are never coincidental, declaring the fire as a divine opportunity for greater things.
“Nothing happens in the life of a child of God by accident,” he said. “During the 2001 Ikeja cantonment bombing incident, the building vibrated so much that we thought it would collapse. I resolved that if it did collapse, I would build a bigger, better one. It didn’t collapse, and when we had engineers inspect it, they found it was still structurally sound.”
Reflecting on the recent fire, he continued, “Now that this has happened, we will build a bigger, better, and more glorious one, and the devil will lick his wounds.”
