According to reports, the incident created a commotion among the occupants, who fled in different directions to avoid being hurt by the fire.

Witnesses said the fire started around 10 p.m. on the first floor of the 5-story building hostel, which houses about 1,500 law graduates and is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault.

An eyewitness who identified himself as Mr. Segun said, “The fire came with a big bang. There was a stampede in the hostel. I saw a student jump out from the first floor where the fire started near the reading room. Other students ran out of their rooms in panic.

“At least, five people were seriously injured while one elderly woman who is a cleaner had her toe dislocated.”

It was gathered that fire service personnel promptly intervened and joined the hostel security officials who quickly switched off the main power supply before the arrival of state fire service personnel some minutes later.

The unidentified injured students are currently receiving medical attention at a clinic.

It was also gathered that there was no casualty and no tangible property was destroyed apart from one big electric cable.

The Director of Lagos State Fire Service and Rescue, Margret Adeseye, confirmed the fire incident through the Public Affairs Officer, Amodu Shaibu, saying there were no casualties because the incident was minor.

According to preliminary fire service investigation, power surge was the cause of the fire breakout, and a full investigation will be conducted to discover the immediate and remote causes of the incident to prevent future occurrences, according to Adeseye.