A devastating fire has razed down students’ residential apartments at Angwan Lambu, Keffi Local Government Area, leaving residents in distress.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred on Thursday evening following the restoration of power supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The fire reportedly began when students noticed smoke coming from the roof, prompting them to rush out for help. However, no immediate assistance was available to contain the flames.
The Nasarawa State University fire service later responded, but by the time they arrived, the inferno had already caused significant destruction. The extent of the damage is yet to be fully assessed.
Mr. Abashi Duniya Peter, head of the university’s fire service, attributed the cause of the fire to an electrical problem.
“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.”
According to Peter, the fire damaged 45% of the building, while 55% was saved as the firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring houses.
“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.”
Faith Akawu, one of the victims, recounted the incident, stating that she was in room two when the electric spark occurred, resulting in the loss of all their belongings.
“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 indicates that due to fear, the students could not retrieve any of their belongings, including books, except for the clothes they wore and their handsets, forcing them to start all over in purchasing everything anew.
