The inferno which began at about 2:00 pm according to an eyewitness started from the part of the building that was being renovated and lasted for several hours before fire officials could put if off.

It was learnt that no life was lost because the main church building was closed for total renovation while a makeshift auditorium was provided beside the building for use during Sunday services and other church programmes.

A church member who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the fire started when they heard a loud spark from the section under renovation. “Gradually, we begun to see smoke and that attracted the attention of other church workers.”

“We immediately contacted other church officials and together, we begun to put heads together on how to extinguish the fire. But the more we tried, the more the fire spread until the fire overwhelmed us. The fire officials contacted few minutes after tried all they could but achieve little result. I was totally disappointed with the FCT and federal fire officials.”

While the fire was burning, some worshipers and passersby watched helplessly but prayerfully as they await the arrival of reinforcement from superior officials.

However, the fire was put off following the arrival of fire officials from Julius Berger construction company and the headquarters of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at about 5: 10pm, assisted by NEMA officials at about 6: 00pm after over six fire trucks from federal and FCT fire services battled the inferno.

Result of preliminary investigation, according to  Wuye Divisional Police Officer, ASP Salomi Jimbest confirmed that the fire was caused by power surge at the auditorium.

She also confirmed that no life was lost, as all the members had vacated the building before the commencement of the incident.

No official of the church management could speak to journalists on the incident.