A major fire broke out at a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday night, leaving worshippers in a panic.
The fire began around 9:30pm at the church located on Olohunda Road in the Lagelu Local Government Area of Ibadan.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started while some worshippers had already fallen asleep as they prepared for the vigil.
One witness recalled, “Some people had already slept off when the fire started. It was a shocking and terrifying moment.”
The fire quickly spread, and worshippers inside the church were thrown into chaos.
Another witness shared, “An elderly woman, who could barely walk, was still inside the church when the fire was raging. She was rescued just in time.”
Several worshippers were rescued from the church as flames engulfed parts of the building.
Thankfully, the quick intervention of local residents and the Oyo State Fire Service helped to avert a greater disaster.
The Oyo State Fire Services responded to the emergency call after they were alerted by a concerned resident.
Akinyemi Akinyinka, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services, confirmed the incident.
“We received information from Kunle Junaid, a resident, who reported the fire at the church. Our men quickly responded to the scene,” Akinyinka said.
Despite the dramatic nature of the blaze, no casualties have been reported so far. However, the cause of the fire remains unclear.
“At this time, we are unsure of the cause of the fire,” Akinyinka added.
The fire service is continuing its investigation, and Akinyinka promised to provide further updates on the incident.
Local authorities have yet to issue a full statement regarding the extent of the damage caused by the fire.
Residents of the area have expressed relief that no lives were lost in the blaze.
“This could have been much worse if not for the quick action of the fire service and the residents. It was a close call,” one local resident said.
The church building, however, suffered significant damage. Eyewitnesses reported seeing heavy smoke coming from the building, with parts of the roof collapsing.
Though the exact figure for the damages has not been provided, it is clear that the fire caused considerable harm to the church.
The incident has sparked concern among religious leaders and local residents about safety measures during religious gatherings, especially during late-night vigils.
“It is a reminder of how vulnerable we are during night prayers and vigils,” said one church member, who asked not to be named.
This fire at the Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan comes as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety, particularly in places of worship.
With the festive season approaching, many churches and mosques hold extended services, making it essential to ensure that proper safety protocols are in place.
The Oyo State Fire Services have called on all places of worship to review their safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While the full details of the fire’s cause remain to be investigated, the residents of Ibadan are grateful for the timely response that saved lives.
The fire service is continuing to investigate the incident, and more information will be shared as it becomes available.
As of now, the worshippers involved in the incident are safe, and the church will likely be closed for repairs until further notice.
The community’s response to this emergency has been praised, with many acknowledging the courage of those who assisted in evacuating people from the church.
