Late night fire razes parts of female dormitories of Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, destroys belongings, raises fresh worry about previous fire events purportedly linked to electrical issues in institution
It was learned that there was no loss of life in the incident. But The Nation adds that several students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed poor electrical infrastructure for the epidemic.
Some students said they had run in panic as smoke and flames filled one of the dormitory rooms.
•The burnt room of the hostel
A 400 level Nursing student stated the fire started immediately after she went to bed adding that many thought at first that the spark was just one of the numerous electrical issues that are reported in the dormitory.
“I got some sleep after 9 p.m. It was less than 20 minutes when I started to hear people shouting. And as I woke up I heard ‘fire!’ A few sparks since the last event . When people shout , it often seems like an overreaction .
“I assumed it was the same thing over again. But my roommate started saying ‘fire’ and I ran out in astonishment. “I thought it was a small thing but the room was already burning big time,” she claimed.
A broken fire extinguisher and lack of water supply hampered efforts to contain the fire, she said.
“I ran downstairs and I saw someone with a fire extinguisher but nothing was coming out, it was empty. When she went to get water the tap was just trickling, she explained.
The student further said that the hostel entrance was shut at that time and it was tough to escape and get help.
The gate was locked and we have been requesting the school administration to keep it open even during the day. “They always say it’s for security reasons,” she remarked.
Another 400-level nursing student stated the fire had already burned out the room when rescue came. She alleged that the school management was trying to pass on the blame to kids instead of rectifying the malfunctioning electrical systems.
‘When we came out, the room was burnt to nothing. We phoned the porter but she was unable to do anything. The fire extinguisher did not function. Some of the boys had to smash the rear gate to get in to help put out the fire.
“When the fire service came, the fire had already been put out but everything was lost, documents, everything.” ‘Now the school is attempting to blame the pupils, but it’s their faulty electrical connections that caused this,’ she claimed.
A 300-Level Optometry student similarly recounted his experience of returning to the hostel to face turmoil and dense smoke.
I went out and bought groceries and toiletries. On my way back I observed security people sprinting. “As I was trying to go upstairs, people were coming down with buckets,” she added.
“When I turned around, the whole room was on fire. “I couldn’t move. Everything was burning, even the bunk beds,” she claimed.
Another student of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science said many fire occurrences have made many students less receptive to alerts.
“Fire incidents are not a new thing in BMU. There was a fire last week, again this week… virtually every week. “Initially, we thought it was little, but it got intense fast,” stated the 400-level student.
“I rushed to get my important documents despite thick smoke,” she stated.
“I had to run upstairs to collect my documents, my WAEC certificate, my laptop and other valuables. I didn’t take my clothing as they are replaceable.
“When I opened the door it was just all smoke everywhere. I don’t have asthma, yet I nearly had an attack. “I had a panic attack, I started shaking and crying,” she added.
The Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa Medical University, Dr Marie Teibowei, did not comment on the issue.
‘You will have to come to the university to see for yourself if it has been made right. “I’m in a meeting, can’t talk on the phone now,” she added.
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