Fire razes two hostels at Federal Govt College, Keffi

Two female hostels at the Federal Government College, Keffi, Nasarawa state, has been gutted by fire.

According to NAN, the fire started around 7:45 pm on Sunday and continued until Monday morning.

The fire was said to have reduced the entire structure to ashes.

“The students were in the dining hall when the fire started. Books and properties of the students were all razed down, nothing was removed,” a senior staff of the school was quoted as saying.

“One student, who did not go to the dining hall and was sleeping in one of the hostels, was almost affected.

“Immediately she sensed the smoke, she jumped through the window and sustained some slight injuries. No one else was affected.”

The staff while describing the incident as “shocking and devastating” said it was the first time such would happen in the history of the 18-year-old school.

It was observed smoke still billowing from the rubble of the burnt hostels, while fear-stricken staff and students watched from a distance.

Teachers, staff and prefects were seen trying to pacify and calm the students, especially the distraught girls who lost everything in the inferno.

Another staff said the incident was particularly devastating to the school because the students were preparing to start their first term first examinations on Monday.

“The first term examination was scheduled to start today, but with this development, no one is sure of what to do next. We shall wait for further directives from the federal ministry of education,” he said.

Efforts to contact Babatunde Usuma, acting principal, were not successful as he was said to have travelled to Kano for the annual meeting of principals of unity secondary school.

Gideon Gutap, vice-principal, said via a text message, the school was yet to take a decision on the next line of action.

Officials of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) have been invited for an emergency meeting over the issue.