A devastating fire has destroyed the main auditorium of ECWA Goodnews Church along Ashaka Road in Gombe State, leaving property estimated at more than ₦100 million in ruins.
The fire, which broke out at about 8:21 p.m. on Tuesday, engulfed the church auditorium before it was brought under control by firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Fire Service and Gombe State University Fire Station.
According to the Federal Fire Service, the swift response of emergency personnel prevented the blaze from spreading to other parts of the church complex and neighbouring buildings.
Eyewitnesses said the church’s Bible study ended around 6 p.m., after which the auditorium was locked.
A security guard later noticed smoke coming from the roof and alerted church leaders and residents, who joined efforts to contain the fire before firefighters arrived.
Despite those efforts, the blaze destroyed the pulpit, choir stand, musical instruments, worship equipment, the ceiling, roofing materials and other valuables inside the auditorium.
The Minister-in-Charge of the church, Rev. Dr. Gideon Danbauchi, thanked God that no lives were lost and expressed optimism that the church would recover from the setback.
He also commended the Federal Fire Service, the Gombe State Fire Service and residents whose prompt intervention prevented greater destruction.
The church’s Technical Director, Olatunji Daniel, said volunteers broke the auditorium windows to gain access after discovering the fire but were unable to contain the blaze because of its intensity.
Although the exact cause of the fire has not been officially established, eyewitnesses suspect it may have resulted from an electrical fault.
Church officials said a full assessment is ongoing, with preliminary estimates placing the value of destroyed property at over ₦100 million.
