A devastating fire broke out at the North-West University Kano city campus on Thursday, causing significant damage to property valued at millions of Naira. The blaze, which began around 11:20 am, primarily affected the offices of the Head of Department and lecturers in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department. Fortunately, no lives were lost, although a staff member sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention.
The fire was attributed to an electrical spark, a common hazard in many educational institutions. A security guard trained in firefighting suffered smoke inhalation while attempting to contain the flames and was rushed to the university clinic for treatment.
Emergency responders from both the Kano State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service acted swiftly to quench the fire, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building. The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Sani Anas, confirmed that the situation was brought under control promptly.
University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mukhtar Kurawa, expressed gratitude that no lives were lost but noted that the full extent of the damage had yet to be assessed. He emphasized the university’s safety protocols, which include switching off all electrical appliances at the end of each day to enhance safety and reduce energy consumption. Routine inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with these safety measures.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining robust safety standards in educational institutions to prevent such accidents. Despite the challenges posed by the fire, the university’s swift response and safety protocols helped mitigate the impact, ensuring that academic activities can resume as soon as possible.
