Devastating Fire Destroys Nasarawa State University Students’ Apartments

A raging inferno has destroyed the student residential apartments at Angwan Lambu in Keffi Local Government Area, leaving students of Nasarawa State University devastated. The fire broke out on Thursday evening, shortly after power was restored by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Eyewitnesses report that the fire started when students noticed smoke coming from the roof of the building. They quickly fled their rooms in panic, but unfortunately, no immediate assistance was available to contain the fire. The university’s fire service arrived at the scene later, but by then, the fire had already caused extensive damage.

Mr. Abashi Duniya Peter, the head of the university’s fire service, confirmed that the blaze was caused by an electrical issue. “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 advised.

The fire ravaged about 45% of the building, while firefighters managed to save the remaining 55% from further destruction. Nearly four blocks of rooms were completely destroyed, and students were unable to retrieve their belongings in time. “The neighbouring house has been saved, and the other four rooms have been saved too,” Peter stated.

Faith Akawu, one of the victims, shared her experience, recounting how the fire started with an electrical spark from an extension wire in a nearby room. “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,” she said.

Unfortunately, the fear of the spreading flames prevented the students from salvaging anything other than the clothes on their backs and their phones. The incident has left many of them in a dire situation, with nothing but their immediate belongings. Many of the affected students are now forced to begin anew, purchasing everything from scratch.

The incident highlights the dangers of electrical fires and serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in student accommodations.