On Tuesday evening, an inferno at the Kaduna State University, KASU, burnt numerous stores and damaged other assets in the institution’s mini-market, which was estimated to be worth millions of naira.
Though details on the incident were scarce, sources indicated the fire started in a specific shop after power was restored before 7 p.m.
Many students voiced their sorrow and sympathies with the business owners, claiming that the market was where they often rushed for cheaper and faster cafe services and food.
One said: “Students made frantic efforts to put out the fire, while they awaited the arrival of fire service.
“However, they could no longer help the situation when a substance exploded from one of the burning shops.
“The explosion from one of the shops escalated the fire and it extended to more shops, while the students watched helplessly.
“The fire started when NEPA brought light. And it was just a shop.
“Then we called the fire service but they didn’t come.
“So the students started to forcefully bring out generator and other things before one shop exploded and the fire spread.
“Most of the shop owners had closed for the day and had gone home when the fire started.
“If many of them were around, it would have helped to a large extent, because they would have at least been able to remove flammable materials from their shops and that, would have helped put the fire under control.”
However, no one was injured, and university officials said they had reinforced security in the building.
Ada Peter
