Tension gripped Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, on Saturday as a fire broke out at the institution’s Girls’ Hostel, sending students and staff into panic.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started in one of the rooms in the hostel before spreading rapidly to other sections due to the dry weather conditions and congestion in the building. Thick smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the hostel as students rushed out to safety, abandoning their belongings.
The incident, which began in the early hours of the day, led to chaos on campus, with security personnel struggling to keep anxious students and sympathizers away from the danger zone. Emergency responders from the Ondo State Fire Service were immediately alerted and dispatched to the scene to contain the inferno.
Confirming the development, officials of the fire service said trucks had been deployed to the campus to battle the flames. They appealed to students and staff to maintain calm and avoid the affected area to allow firefighters unhindered access to the scene.
As of the time of filing this report, no casualties had been recorded, though the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined. Efforts are still ongoing to completely put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings within the Polytechnic premises.
Authorities have also advised residents of the area to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency responders as operations continue.
The management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic has yet to release an official statement, but students expressed concern over the loss of personal belongings and damage to hostel facilities.
The fire, now largely under control, has been described as one of the most serious emergencies faced by the institution in recent times.
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