Gombe State University fire outbreak hospitalises three students after gas explosion in hostel; authorities urged to review LPG ban

Gombe State University fire outbreak on Thursday night sent panic through the campus after a suspected cooking gas explosion gutted a female hostel annexe, resulting in three students being hospitalised.

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The incident, which occurred in a bungalow-style hostel within the university campus, was confirmed by the Federal Fire Service, Gombe Command.

The command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Fire Bashir Muazu, described the blaze as “unfortunate,” blaming it on unattended LPG cooking.

“It was caused by LPG, cooking gas. Based on preliminary investigation, it was caused by unattended cooking by a student,” Muazu told reporters on Friday.

While no fatalities were reported, Muazu confirmed that three students were taken to hospital, with some suffering from anxiety and others from smoke inhalation.

The fire comes shortly after the university lifted a long-standing ban on gas cylinders in hostels.

For years, students were required to use kerosene stoves, following concerns over fire safety in the densely populated hostels.

Students expressed anger and concern over what they termed the university’s poor emergency preparedness.

Several said the fire might have been brought under control sooner if the campus fire service had been operational.

“The fire could have been put out quickly if the school’s fire service was functioning well,” one student lamented.

Efforts to reach Hadu Naphtali, the university’s Public Relations Officer, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.

In response, the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, DCF S.M. Sulaiman, has advised the university to reinstate the ban on LPG cylinders in all hostels immediately, citing the need to prevent future disasters.

Gombe State University Fire Outbreak

“This decision is aimed at preventing future accidents and ensuring the safety of students,” he stated in an official advisory.

The Fire Service has also pledged to work with the university to enhance fire safety protocols, including awareness campaigns and improved infrastructure.

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As investigations continue, the incident has reignited the debate over hostel cooking practices, campus safety, and the adequacy of emergency response systems in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Gombe State University Fire Outbreak