The Believers LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, in Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos, last week, caught fire in the early hours of Sunday when the President of Believers LoveWorld Incorporated, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and members of the church were worshipping God at the church’s campground in Ogun State.
Although, journalists were not allowed into the church premises to ascertain the extent of damage, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire Services, Nigeria Police Force, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Neighbourhood Watch and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, among others were seen earnestly working to put out the inferno.
Meanwhile, the founder of the church, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has said that the burnt building is a sign of good things to come. He stated this, during a church service held at the headquarters in Ogun State.
He said: “It is the house of God. Alright, it is been burnt down, we will clear out the place, build a better one; a more beautiful one and let the devil link his wounds.”
Fielding questions from newsmen at the scene of the fire outbreak, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Oluwafemi Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu appealed to the public to desist from any information that is not emanating from reliable sources, saying that LASEMA and other government agencies under the watch of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu are capable of handling emergency situations in the state.
He explained that though the fire was massive, no casualty was recorded. He denied the allegation that the responders were not allowed access to the church premises when the fire outbreak started in the morning at 7:00a.m.
Oke-Osanyitolu said: “Emergency disaster is everyone’s responsibility, and not just the state government or the agencies. You can see that all the key stakeholders are working together. For instance, NEMA, LASEMA, Lagos State Fire Service have put a lot of things in place and the most important thing is that our people need to key in. Look at it, we are fighting fire in this place and people are misinforming the good people of Lagos State. We want the good people of Lagos State to desist from spreading wrong information. We have put a lot of things in place, we have fire hydrants, among others.
“From what I have seen the church has basic fire fighting equipment, and the men were trained to fight any fire incident. The church has fire hydrant and one way or the other, we worked as a team with them, and that is one of the reasons that despite the fact that the fire was massive, it did not spread to other buildings in the area. There was no mortality and so, we are on top of the game. The church cooperated with us and we worked as a team. We looked at things holistically and that is why we were able to have a success story in managing the emergency disaster.”
On if the state would sanction people who do not comply with government rules, he said: “We will get to that enforcement later. However, we are not shy from enforcement, but it has to be gradual. We have started conducting advocacy, sensitising people and trying to enlighten our people. I am sure our people are going to do the needful.”
Head of Research and Rescue Unit of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos Territorial Office, Ibitayo Adenike, confirming that the incident started in the morning hours of Sunday, said: “Although the fire started early in the morning, the exact time was not certain because we started receiving calls at about 7:00a.m. We came and since then we have been working together. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but all the responders are working together and the fire is now under control. To the best of my knowledge no worshipper was in the building and there was no casualty.”