A clergy, Pastor Israel Ovie, his wife and four children on Tuesday escaped death
following a fire outbreak that razed their church, Greater Power of God Fire Mission International, located in Amarata, a suburb of Yenagoa metropolis.
It was was gathered that the inferno was caused by a candle lit by the pastor’s six-year-old daughter, Dominion Israel, after the public power was cut off.
The fire started at about 8:45am and destroyed property worth millions of
Naira in the church constructed with planks.
It took the timely intervention of neighbors and passers-by to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses.
Narrating the incident, Ovie said: “On Monday night around 9pm, I went to a
pharmacy to buy drugs for my sick wife and I told my six year old daughter
to light a candle since there was no public power.
“We all went to bed, unknown to us, the candle fell on clothes and spread
to other things, and before we could realize, the whole church building was
on fire. Some sympathizers and neighbours came out and help put-off the
fire before men of the state fire service arrived. We thank God no life was lost.
“The fire consumed everything including band sets, electronics, chairs and all our personal effects since we live in the church building. We are appealing to the state government and well-meaning Nigerians and organizations to come to our aid.”