Several attendees were reportedly trapped inside the Christ Apostolic Church parish in Ibadan, Oyo State, when a devastating fire broke out there on Friday night.
According to sources who talked to PUNCH Online on Saturday morning, the fire, which began at around 9:30 p.m., happened at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, in the Lagelu Local Government Area.
Witnesses stated that at the time of the incident, the church was hosting a Friday vigil. According to one witness, it occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m.
They were holding a Friday vigil, I think. Before the vigil started, a few worshippers had dozed off to rest when the fire started. “There was an older woman inside the church who was so old that she could scarcely move,” said another witness, describing the tragic scene. When the fire started burning, she was still inside.
“There were still people inside the church when the fire started,” an unnamed churchgoer continued. I’ll provide you more details later.
The fire’s cause has not yet been identified. The incident was verified by Oyo State Fire Services General Manager Akinyemi Akinyinka, who stated, “Our team responded after receiving information from one Kunle Junaid.” He promised further updates would be forthcoming.
There will be more information as the narrative progresses.