Three students injured as fire guts another UNIMAID female hostel

BY HAMZA SULEIMAN

Three female students were injured when a fire broke out at a female hostel of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on Saturday.

The fire, which began around 7:30 am at the Murtala Hall, also destroyed properties belonging to the students.

A flat in the section of the building was said to have been razed during the incident.

TheCable could not ascertain the names of the affected students as of the time of this report.

The varsity’s fire service team and security operatives were said to have teamed up to prevent the fire from extending to other surrounding hostels.

Danjuma Gambo, the institution’s spokesman, confirmed the incident in a statement.

According to him, a preliminary investigation showed that the kerosene explosion caused by suspected adulteration was responsible for the fire.

Gambo said one of the affected students was severely injured, adding that the trio are currently undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri.

“The fire has already been put out by men of the University’s Fire Service Unit. No other parts of the hostel have been affected by the fire,” it read.

“This unfortunate incident is regrettable, especially in view of recent efforts by management to enforce fire safety regulations in student hostels.”

The development comes about two weeks after a similar conflagration at Aisha Buhari lodge — another female hostel of the institution — destroyed several properties.