3rd March, 2013
FUNSHO AROGUNDADE
The multi-million naira state-of-the-art MNet Africa studios in Ojota Lagos, Nigeria was gutted by a strange fire Saturday.
The fire, P.M.News gathered, started at around 3p.m and it destroyed all the equipment and studios including that of massive Tinsel, Supersports, Jara, Studio 53 and the live audience studio normally used for the Glo Naija Sings, all located within the Phillip Building before the arrival of men of the Fire Services.
The cause of the fire could not be ascertained. However, no life was lost during the incident.
Witnesses said the fire started at about 3 p.m in one of the studios and spread to three other studios owned by Multichoice and DSTV.
Mr Felix Awogu, the General Manager of Super Sports, told NAN that some of their workers were in the studio preparing to transmit live matches from Europe to some parts of Africa when the fire started.
“The fire incident would affect production of super sports to some African countries. We thank God that no life was lost. We appreciate the timely presence of the fire service from Lagos State.
“Four studios were affected. All equipment in those studios were all gone. It is most unfortunate, but nothing anybody could do about it. Thank God no life was lost,’’ Awogu said.
A Director with Phillips Company, the owner of the building, Mr Biodun Dickson, also told NAN that facilities destroyed by the fire would cost millions of dollars, stressing that about 1,000 jobs would be affected by the incident.
On his part, the Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said that they got information about the fire at about 3.05pm, stressing that he immediately sent some men to the scene with tanker.
“When my men came, they discovered that employees of the companies affected have been trying to fight the fire, and it has gone beyond them before calling the service.
“I ordered for more men from Ilupeju, Isolo and Alausa. We had five trucks of water, including one with chemical. Each of the tankers contains about 10,000 litres of water. We have put out the fire.
“The fire was difficult to put out due to free burn materials used to build the studios. The facility has no hydrant point in the premises. There was no casualties or injuries recorded. We will investigate the possible cause of the fire,’’ Fadipe added.
But the magnitude of the loss, we learnt, actually dampened the spirit of the top executives of the multinational cable and satellite content company who are in the thick of preparations for the highly anticipated debut edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards, coming up next Saturday 9 March.
An official of the company who spoke to P.M.News last night gave an assurance the fire would not affect the continental awards.
.With additional reports by News Agency of Nigeria.
Updated 08.27 a.m Sunday