Fire razes Gateway Hotel, Ota

Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta - 16.03.2008

One of the Ogun State-owned hotels,Gateway Hotel, Ota, was on Saturday morning gutted by fire, while property worth millions of naira were completely destroyed.

The fire,which was noticed on the 6th floor of the hotel, sent many lodgers scampering for safety.

The inferno, which started around 7am, was brought under control by the staff of the hotel and men of the state fire service.

It was learnt that there was an occupant in the room by the time the fire started,while the cause of fire was linked to a power surge.

According to a witness, "We all know that electricity fluctuates in this area and most lodgers don't always remember to switch off appliances.

Someone lodged there about two days ago and probably left the electrical appliances on."

While speaking with journalists on the incident, the General Manager of the Hotel, Mr. Bimbo Alagbe, said that the mysterious fire completely destroyed the uppermost part of the hotel.

He, however, commended the efforts of the state fire service, Ota Division, for responding on time to the distress call by the hotel management and also the efforts of the people in the area.