At Navy Secondary School in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, properties worth several million nairas were burned to ashes on Tuesday.
The incident took place at midday as a fire broke out in one of the school’s male hostel buildings. At the time of the incident, more than two hundred students who occupied the hostels were saved as they were all in their classrooms.
An eyewitness, who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned said, “The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained” and however, alleged that the fire may not be unconnected with the electricity power surge and fluctuations that was experienced in the school premises at the time.
“Some of the students upon seeing the flames in their hostel had attempted to make it save their belongings but were all stopped by the school officials,” he stated.
The affected male hostel was called Blue House (Adeneye Hall) and all the belongings of over 230 students in the building were razed down in the inferno.
A staff, who pleaded for anonymity said, “We thank God the fire outbreak did not occur at night nor when the students were in the hostel. The school authorities had started calling parents to come for their children since they are done with exams but students in JSS 3 and SSS 3 are however expected to stay back for extension classes” She said.
The school Commandant O A Kudairi, was seen practically assisting fire-fighters in efforts to extinguish the flames. The state fire service truck arrived about an hour into the incident.
When contacted, the State Fire Service Public Relations Officer, Mr. Cletus Makpere confirmed the incident explaining, “I was involved in fighting this fire in the school. The Commandant of the college called us and we moved in immediately and were able to put out the fire from consuming other areas or caused more damages. We thanked God that none of the students’ sustained injury” he stated.
