A late-night fire has gutted a female hostel annex at Gombe State University, leaving three students hospitalised.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, October 2, 2025, caused heavy damage to the bungalow within the campus and forced the emergency evacuation of students.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Gombe Command, Assistant Superintendent of Fire Bashir Muazu, the fire was caused by a gas explosion.
“It was caused by LPG, cooking gas. Based on preliminary investigation, it was caused by unattended cooking by a student,” Muazu confirmed.
Muazu explained that no lives were lost, but three students were taken to the hospital.
“Some went in for anxiety and the other for inhaling the smoke from the inferno,” he added.
The incident has left many students shaken, with some describing the experience as frightening.
Eyewitnesses said the flames spread quickly, while panic gripped the hostel as residents tried to escape.
It was gathered that the university had only recently lifted its ban on the use of gas cylinders in hostels.
For several years, students were restricted to kerosene stoves due to safety concerns.
Some students who spoke under condition of anonymity expressed disappointment at how the fire was handled.
They claimed the campus lacked effective firefighting facilities, which could have helped reduce the scale of damage.
“The fire could have been put out quickly if the school’s fire service was functioning well,” one of the students lamented.
Meanwhile, the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, DCF S.M. Sulaiman, has advised the university to immediately reinstate the ban on LPG cylinders in student hostels.
“This decision is aimed at preventing future accidents and ensuring the safety of students. The Command is committed to working closely with the University Management to enhance fire safety measures and prevent such incidents in the future,” Sulaiman stated.
He also urged students, staff, and the public to prioritise fire safety and report hazardous situations promptly.
