A devastating fire broke out on Sunday evening, engulfing the auditorium and three offices of The Word Assembly Church in Ilorin, Kwara State. The fire reportedly started after the Sunday Service and caused significant damage to the church’s property.
The fire incident was reported to have been worsened by the delayed notification to the state fire service and other security agencies. Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity of the State Fire Service, provided details of the incident.
According to Adekunle, the fire service received an urgent call about the fire outbreak at The Word Assembly Headquarters along Ajase-Ipo Road in Ilorin on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023, at approximately 17:08 hours. The distress call was made by Mr. Akanni.
Firefighters promptly responded to the call, but upon arrival, they found that the inferno had already consumed the church’s auditorium due to the delayed report. However, they managed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
Adekunle mentioned that non-fire-resistant building materials, including aluminum roofing and plywood for the ceiling, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire before the fire service’s arrival.
The fire not only affected the auditorium but also three out of the six offices on the church premises. An initial investigation into the cause of the outbreak suggested it might have been due to a power surge.
Notable figures, including Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara Governor on Special Duties, and Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, were present at the scene, along with various security agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Federal Fire Service.
The estimated property loss in the fire was reported to be N39.5 million, while the estimated property saved amounted to N74.3 million.
Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, emphasized the importance of timely reporting of fire incidents by the general public and urged citizens to promptly call the fire service when such emergencies occur to minimize damage.