By Damilare Adeleye
A pentecostal church, Household of David Church, was on Wednesday engulfed by a fire in Lagos State.
This happened less than 12 hours before the church’s Mercy Conference scheduled to be held from Wednesday (today) to February 4.
The Church is located along Industrial Road, off Adeniyi Jones in Surulere, Ikeja, Lagos.
It was learnt that the church auditorium erupted in fire from smoke that emanated from the ceiling.
Confirming the incident, Margaret Adeseye, Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire is presently under control.
The cause of the fire which affected the church auditorium is yet to be known.
According to Adeseye, there were no casualties, adding that investigation to ascertain the cause is in progress.
“An expanse church auditorium belonging to Household of David Church erupted in Fire from smoke that emanated from the ceiling,” she said in a statement.
“The Fire was however made to confined within the church auditorium it started from while salvaging adjoining properties.”
Expected at the conference are Joshua Selman, Nathaniel Bassey, Isaac Oyedepo, Michael Orokpo, Moses Bliss, among others.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the fire went unnoticed by church workers but was brought to their attention by passersby.
“A fire broke out at Household of David Church on Surulere Industrial Road, off Adeniyi Jones in Ikeja, Lagos, around 00:11 hours,” NEMA said in a statement.
“Fortunately, responders successfully extinguished the fire, which originated at the rear end of the church. It went unnoticed by church workers but was brought to their attention by passersby. Thankfully, no injuries or casualties were reported.
“The church, leased and insured, had organized a 5-day crusade starting this evening and ending on February 4, 2024. Due to the expected congregant turnout, church workers underwent training by the Fire Service.”
Aside from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, other responding agencies include NEMA, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Fire Service, and the Police.
“Due to the expected congregant turnout, church workers underwent training by the Fire Service. Responding agencies include NEMA, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos Emergency Management Agency, State Fire Service, and the Police,” the statement added.