•A fire outbreak
A late-night fire has razed sections of the female hostel at Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, destroying valuables and raising fresh concerns over repeated fire incidents allegedly linked to electrical faults in the institution.
It was gathered that no life was lost in the incident. However, several students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed the outbreak on substandard electrical installations, reports The Nation.
Some of the students recounted how they fled in panic as smoke and flames engulfed one of the hostel rooms.
•The burnt hostel room
A 400-level Nursing student said the fire broke out shortly after she went to bed, noting that many initially dismissed the spark as one of the frequent electrical faults experienced in the hostel.
“I slept a little after 9:00 p.m. Not up to 20 minutes later, I started hearing people shouting. When I woke up, I heard ‘fire!’ After the last incident, there have been several sparks, and when people shout, it often feels like an overreaction.
“So I thought it was the same thing again. But my roommate kept shouting ‘fire,’ and I ran out in shock. I expected it to be something minor, but the room was already burning seriously,” she said.
She added that efforts to contain the fire were hindered by a faulty fire extinguisher and poor water supply.
“I ran downstairs and saw someone with a fire extinguisher, but nothing came out — it was empty. When she tried to fetch water, the tap was barely dripping,” she explained.
The student also alleged that the hostel gate was locked at the time, making escape and rescue efforts difficult.
“The gate was locked, and we’ve been begging the school authorities to keep it open, even during the day. They always say it’s for security reasons,” she said.
Another 400-level Nursing student said the fire had already destroyed the affected room before help arrived. She accused the school management of attempting to shift blame onto students instead of addressing faulty electrical systems.
“By the time we got out, the room had been burnt to ashes. We called the porter, but she couldn’t do anything. The fire extinguisher wasn’t working. Some boys had to break the back gate to gain access and help put out the fire.
“Before the fire service arrived, the fire had already been subdued, but all belongings were destroyed—documents, everything. Now the school is trying to blame the students, whereas it’s their poor electrical connections that caused this,” she alleged.
A 300-level Optometry student also described returning to the hostel to meet chaos and thick smoke.
“I went out to buy toiletries and provisions. On my way back, I saw security personnel running. As I tried to go upstairs, people were rushing down with buckets,” she said.
“When I turned, I saw a room completely engulfed in flames. I couldn’t move—everywhere was burning, even the bunk beds,” she added.
Another student from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science said frequent fire incidents have made many students less responsive to alarms.
“Fire incidents are not new in BMU. Last week there was a fire, this week again—almost every time. At first, we thought it was minor, but it quickly became intense,” the 400-level student said.
She said she rushed to retrieve her important documents despite the thick smoke.
“I had to run upstairs to pick my documents—my WAEC certificate, my laptop, and other valuables. I left my clothes behind because they’re replaceable.
“When I opened the door, I was overwhelmed by smoke. I don’t have asthma, but I almost had an attack. I had a panic attack and started shaking and crying,” she added.
The Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa Medical University, Dr. Marie Teibowei, declined to comment on the incident.
“You will have to come to the university to see for yourself if it has been rectified. I can’t speak on the phone right now; I’m in a meeting,” she said.
