A fire outbreak, on Sunday, wreaked havoc at the World Assembly headquarters, along Ajase-Ipo Road, in Ilorin.
The inferno destroyed the main church auditorium and three other offices within the complex.
Kwara State Fire Service said it received an urgent call reporting the fire outbreak from one Mr Akani, according to the spokesman, Hassan Adekunle in a statement late Sunday night.
“Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters found that the devastating inferno had already consumed the auditorium of the church due to a late call.“Despite the significant damage caused by the fire, the firemen managed to contain the inferno and prevented it from spreading further,” Hassan added.
The spokesperson noted that the materials used for the building’s construction were not fire-retardant, including aluminum roofing sheets and plywood for the ceiling, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire before the fire service’s arrival.
As a result, not only the auditorium but also three out of the six offices were affected by the fire.
During subsequent investigation into the cause of the outbreak, it was suspected to be as a result of power surge.
According to the Fire Service's spokesperson, a total estimated property saved is N74.3 million naira and total estimated property lost is N39.5Million Naira.
Among those involved in the rescue operation were notable figures such as Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Special Duties, and Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service.
Various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Civil Defense Corps and the Federal Fire Service provided support.
Meanwhile, Director Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa strongly emphasized that the importance of timely reporting of fire incidents by the general public.
He urged everyone to call the Fire Service promptly whenever a fire occurs, emphasizing that this swift action is crucial for minimizing the extent of fire damage.
Here are other images from the scene...
