A fire outbreak has gutted a female hostel at the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, destroying students’ personal belongings and causing panic among residents.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, reportedly started in one section of the hostel before spreading rapidly, forcing students to flee the building to avoid being trapped.
Eyewitnesses said the fire engulfed several rooms before it was eventually brought under control, but not before destroying mattresses, clothing, books, and other valuables belonging to students.
Although the cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report, students and staff expressed concern over the lack of adequate emergency response infrastructure within the hostel facility.
Authorities of the university have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while efforts are reportedly underway to assess the extent of damage and provide support for affected students.
The Bayelsa Medical University, located in Yenagoa, was established in 2018 as a public institution focused on training health professionals in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
