Students cheat death as late-night fire razes female hostel

A late-night fire tore through the Female Hostel Annex of Gombe State University on Thursday, forcing terrified students to flee the building without their belongings.

Eyewitnesses said the incident broke out around 9:30pm, sending panic across campus as students scrambled to safety. Many of them lost their personal effects to the flames.

Before fire service officials arrived at the scene, both male and female students made frantic efforts to douse the inferno. Although large portions of the hostel were gutted, no lives were lost and no serious injuries were reported.

Confirming the incident, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hadu Ligari, said in a statement: “This is to inform the University Community, parents, guardians, and the general public that there was a fire incident at the Female Hostel Annex yesterday, October 2, 2025, at about 9:00pm.

“We are grateful to confirm that no life was lost, and the situation has since been brought under control.

“The University Management is currently assessing the cause and extent of the incident. A comprehensive statement will be issued in due course.”

Sources within the institution said that the fire may have been triggered by cooking gas used by students in the hostel. The university had only recently lifted its ban on the use of gas cylinders for cooking in student accommodations.