LAGOS MARCH 17TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Pandemonium broke out at the International Gospel Church, Warri, on Sunday during its second service, as fire gutted its guest house, radio/television studio, clinic and library, destroying properties worth millions of naira.
The inferno was only noticed when some members saw thick smoke emitting from the rooftop of the building housing these facilities.
Consequently, they raised the alarm that sent the congregation into panic and immediate prayer for God to arrest the situation in which no life was lost.
The incident happened while Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and his wife, Helen, were still in the office all located within the same premises between 12:30pm and 1pm.
This is even as the congregation were seen deploying all material within their reach to battle the situation and preventing it from escalating into the main church building.
Fire service men from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) came right on time and were able to put out the inferno, which lasted till 2:30pm.
Though no church official was willing to comment on the incident, Daily Independent learnt that the fire started from one of the guest rooms before spreading to other parts.
That was even as some members said it was the handiwork of the devil to derail and distract Oritsejafor from his focused fight against evil forces in the country bent on destabilising the government of President Goodluck Jonathan and drive fear into the heart of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President.
Security agents were on hand to guard against untoward action and all church workers were seen jubilating and giving thanks to God that no life was lost, saying: “Satan’s plan has been defeated.”
The Word of Life’s yearly Daughters of Sarah programme and Trade Fair pavilion have all been set to take off in spite of the fire.

Daily Independent