The medical laboratory part of the Plateau State College of Health Technology in Zawan village, Jos South LGA, was reduced to ashes on Tuesday morning due to a fire breakout.
The college Provost, Atangs Ishaku, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it’s true, but we don’t know what really caused the fire. We’re still assessing the situation,” he said.
Ishaku clarified that the fire was reported to him around 12 am, prompting him to immediately contact the fire service.
“I first called the Federal Fire Service, but they said they had a problem with their vehicle. I then called another team, and they came to the institution, but by the time they arrived, the fire had already spread extensively,” he added.
Ikibe Nanya Dul, the state’s Federal Fire Service spokesperson, was not reachable as her phone was off.
It was reported that many students have expressed frustration and disappointment as a result of the fire, leaving them in a state of despair.
“This is a huge loss for us. We’ve lost valuable equipment and resources that were crucial to our studies,” said a distraught student, Mathew Gyang.
Another student, Sarah John, echoed similar concerns: “It’s really sad. We don’t know how we’ll cope with the loss of our lab equipment and facilities. The college needs to take immediate action to address this.”
The college has not yet determined the complete extent of the damage, and the source of the fire is still unknown. The incident has prompted concerns about the institution’s safety protocols and emergency readiness.
Students and staff are demanding a comprehensive investigation and stronger measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future as the college community struggle from the aftermath.
