Lagos govt to demolish Christ Embassy Headquarters after fire incident

• Osanyintolu said the building will undergo integrity test, adding that the structure will be pulled down if it does not pass the test.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency says it may demolish the Christ Embassy building in the Ikeja area of Lagos State after an inferno broke out of the edifice.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, gave the hint while addressing newsmen at the scene of the fire incident on Sunday.

Osanyintolu said the building, which was gutted by fire in the early hours on Sunday, will undergo integrity test, adding that the structure will be brought down if it does not pass the test.

The fire started at about 7:30 am but the quick intervention of emergency responders prevented it from spreading to adjoining buildings.

Speaking on the incident, Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that the intensity of the fire had caused cracks in the wall of the building, which therefore required that an integrity test be conducted on the building.

He said: “We have seen a lot of structural defects; there are cracks on the walls, and we are carrying out evacuation so that the place will be safe.

“We will ensure to subject the building to an integrity test where we can determine the next line of action. We cannot demolish at this moment until an integrity test is carried out. If it is not safe, then we will take the next action”

He disclosed that the agency is working with the church, adding that the presence of flammable materials in the church contributed to the inferno severity.

“We are working with the church, and they have been cooperating with us, which is why we were able to swiftly combat the fire. We have the structural design of the building with us, and we will investigate thoroughly to ascertain the cause of the fire.”

The Lagos emergency management boss noted that though there was basic firefighting equipment in the church at the time of the fire, the presence of highly flammable materials contributed to the intensity of the fire.

He added, “As a professional, I realised that maybe there were lots of flammables in there in terms of the curtains and other materials. However, from what I have seen, they have basic firefighting equipment, trained men to curtail fire, and fire hydrants.

“One way or the other, we work as a team with them, and that’s why despite the fire being massive, it did not spread, and there was no casualty”