The Christ Embassy headquarters on Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, suffered significant damage from a fire early on Sunday morning.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has indicated that the building might face demolition if it fails an integrity test following the blaze.
LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, addressed the media at the scene, explaining the situation. “We have seen a lot of structural defects; there are cracks on the walls, and we are carrying out evacuation so that the place will be safe,” he stated.
“We will ensure to subject the building to an integrity test where we can determine the next line of action. We cannot demolish at this moment until an integrity test is carried out. If it is not safe, then we will take the next action.”
The fire, which began around 7:30 am, was contained by emergency responders before it could spread to nearby buildings. However, parts of the church were pulled down by an excavator to allow access to the affected areas.
Oke-Osanyintolu noted that despite the church having basic firefighting equipment, the presence of highly flammable materials intensified the fire.
“As a professional, I realised that maybe there were lots of flammables in there in terms of the curtains and other materials. However, from what I have seen, they have basic firefighting equipment, trained men to curtail fire, and fire hydrants,” he said.
In response to the incident, Rev Chris Oyakhilome, the President and founder of LoveWorld Incorporated, expressed his intention to rebuild the church even bigger and better.
Speaking during a live service at the church’s campground in Asese, Ogun State, he said, “Nothing happens in the life of a child of God by accident… Now that this has happened, we will build a bigger, better, and more glorious one, and the devil will lick his wounds.”
The Head of the Search and Rescue Unit of the Lagos Territorial Office of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibitayo Adenike, credited the lack of casualties to the absence of worshippers at the time the fire started.
She explained, “At the time of the fire, there were no worshippers in the building. There were only a few people who were having a meeting, which was what helped to prevent casualties that might have occurred with a crowd.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has begun an investigation into the cause of the fire.
The Director of LSFRS, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that no casualties had been reported and that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are underway to ascertain its origin,” she said in a statement on Sunday.