Fire razes media award venue in Ikeja

BY Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS  -  Pandemonium broke out Sunday, during the  prestigious  media award organised by Media Techniques Nigeria Limited, publishers of City People Magazine, when a mysterious fire razed the venue of the event at Bamora Hall, located in Oregun area of Lagos.

The fire, which was said to have started around 5:00 p.m. was traced to sparks from a naked wire, which spread, razing the entire makeshift hall in the process.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Mr. Gabriel, told Vanguard that the fire started mid-way into the event, which brought  many media practitioners together after three people had received their awards.  It reduced the event centre, said to be owned by a sports  administrator, Amos Adamu,  to ashes.

According to Gabriel, ”We were inside the hall or mobile tent watching the recipients of the awards when some people came in with political party flags  shouting: ACN democracy for Justice. Before we knew it, the tent was on fire and we all had to scamper for safety”.

He lamented the absence of fire extinguishers in the hall to put out the fire, calling on government to ensure that such public places used for events had fire fighting equipment

When our correspondent contacted the Director Lagos State Fire Service Mr. Aderemi Ajose who confirmed the incident, at press time said his officials have been deployed to put –out the fire, adding that he is awaiting full briefing of their operation from them.

As at time of this report men of the Lagos state Fire service were seen trying to put out the fire threatening to spread to adjourning properties.