Fire Engulfs Nasarawa University Students’ Hostels

Residential buildings occupied by students of Nasarawa State University, located in Angwan Lambu, Keffi Local Government Area, have been completely consumed by a severe fire outbreak.

Eyewitnesses reported that the incident took place on Thursday evening shortly after power was restored by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

The fire incident, which severely affected the students’ hostel, began when some students saw smoke coming from the ceiling and quickly ran outside seeking assistance, only to find no help immediately available to put out the flames.

The Nasarawa State University, Keffi fire service team eventually arrived, but by the time they got there, considerable destruction had already occurred.

The head of the university’s fire service, Mr. Abashi Duniya Peter, blamed the fire on an electrical fault.

“The cause of the fire is electrical. In the process of quenching the fire, there is still electrical light. They should switch off all their appliances, and they should avoid sleeping while cooking, as this can cause serious problems.”

Peter further explained that 45% of the structure was destroyed by the fire, while firefighters successfully protected 55% of the building from being damaged.

“From the scene, almost four blocks of rooms have been destroyed. I don’t know whether they have carried anything out of those rooms. The neighbouring house has been saved, and the other four rooms have been saved too.”

One of the affected students, Faith Akawu, shared her experience, explaining that she was in room two when the electrical spark occurred, which resulted in the complete loss of their possessions.

“I was not inside our room; I was in an opposite room. We heard the sound; we don’t know how it started, but from his room, the extension wire sparked. We lost everything apart from the clothes we are wearing now.”

The report also highlighted that due to panic, the students were unable to salvage any of their belongings — including their books — leaving them with only the clothes on their backs and their mobile phones, forcing them to completely restart buying all their necessities.