Fire Destroys ECWA Church Auditorium in Gombe, Losses Exceed ₦100 Million

Fire Guts ECWA Church Auditorium in Gombe, Destroys Property Worth Over ₦100 Million
Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.
Church begins damage assessment and appeals for rebuilding support.

A fire outbreak has destroyed the auditorium of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Goodnews Church along Ashaka Road in Gombe State, with church officials estimating the value of damaged property at more than ₦100 million.

The fire broke out at about 8:21 p.m. on Tuesday and was eventually contained through the combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Fire Service and the Gombe State University Fire Station, preventing it from spreading to other sections of the church complex and nearby buildings.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command, ASF Bashir Muazu, said personnel from the Mega Pack Fire Station responded immediately after receiving a distress call.

According to him, the swift intervention, professionalism and commitment of the firefighting teams helped minimise the extent of the damage while protecting lives and surrounding property.

Muazu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives, property and the environment, urging residents to observe fire safety measures and promptly report emergencies.

Eyewitnesses said the church’s Bible study service had ended around 6:00 p.m., after which the auditorium was locked. At about 8:00 p.m., a security guard reportedly noticed smoke coming from the roof and immediately alerted the Minister in Charge and other church members.

Church members and residents quickly mobilised to contain the fire before firefighters arrived, but the blaze spread rapidly, destroying the pulpit, choir stand, musical instruments, worship equipment, ceiling, roofing materials and other valuables inside the auditorium.

The Minister in Charge of the church, Rev. Dr. Gideon Danbauchi, expressed gratitude that no lives were lost despite the extensive destruction.

“We thank God that no life was lost. This is a painful setback for the church, but our faith remains strong. By God’s grace, we will rebuild,” he said.

Danbauchi also commended the Federal Fire Service, the Gombe State Fire Service and members of the community whose prompt response helped prevent the fire from causing greater destruction.

He appealed to church members, well wishers and the Christian community to support efforts to rebuild the damaged worship centre.

Also speaking, the church’s Technical Director, Mr. Olatunji Daniel, said he rushed to the church after receiving distress calls and seeing thick smoke rising from the building.

“By the time I arrived, the church was locked, so volunteers had to break the windows to gain access. Unfortunately, the intensity of the fire overwhelmed every effort to stop it before the firefighters arrived,” he said.

Fire Destroys ECWA Church Auditorium in Gombe, Losses Exceed ₦100 Million

Although the exact cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed, eyewitnesses suspect it may have resulted from an electrical fault.

Church officials said a comprehensive assessment of the damage is ongoing, with preliminary estimates placing the value of destroyed property at over ₦100 million.