A fire outbreak on Friday disrupted activities at the Jubril Aminu Hostel of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, UDUS, as flames engulfed the hostel’s porter’s office, destroying several valuable items and causing panic among students shortly before the weekly Juma’ah prayer.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 1 pm, reportedly began in a storeroom within the porter’s office that contained electric wires, pans, a wheelbarrow, and other electrical appliances. Eyewitnesses stated that the fire started as a small flame but quickly escalated following a loud explosion.
“It started like a normal flame, then suddenly there was a boom, and flames burst out from the rooftop,” said Umar Muhammad, a 300-level Computer Science student who witnessed the fire.
“We immediately raised an alarm and started pouring water to control the flames before emergency responders arrived.”
Although no injuries were reported, the fire destroyed several items, including official documents, a refrigerator, chairs, and electrical components stored in the room. The battery of a solar inverter was reportedly spared due to the timely intervention of firefighting teams.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though some students suspect it may be linked to confiscated gas cylinders or faulty electrical wiring within the storage area.
Reacting to the incident, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Umar Aliyu, urged students to exercise caution, particularly when using electrical appliances.
“Students should switch off all electrical gadgets before leaving their rooms,” he warned. “We must all be more safety conscious to prevent future occurrences.”
