At least three students were hospitalised after a gas explosion on Thursday night engulfed a female hostel annexe at Gombe State University.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m., with flames suspected to have been triggered by a cooking gas explosion. The bungalow-shaped hostel, located within the campus, was quickly overtaken by fire, forcing students to flee and abandon their belongings.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Gombe Command, Assistant Superintendent Bashir Muazu, described the explosion as “unfortunate.”
“It was caused by LPG, cooking gas. Based on preliminary investigation, it was caused by unattended cooking by a student,” Muazu said.
He noted that while no lives were lost, three students were taken to hospital—two for anxiety and one for smoke inhalation.
The explosion came shortly after the university lifted its long-standing ban on gas cylinders in hostels. For years, students had been restricted to using kerosene stoves due to safety concerns.
Some students, speaking anonymously, criticised the university’s preparedness, pointing to the non-functional fire service facilities on campus.
“The fire could have been put out quickly if the school’s fire service was functioning well,” one student lamented.
As of press time, the university management had yet to issue an official response.
Meanwhile, the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, DCF S.M. Sulaiman, advised the university to reinstate the ban on LPG cylinders in hostels to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“This decision is aimed at preventing future accidents and ensuring the safety of students. The Command is committed to working closely with the University Management to enhance fire safety measures,” Sulaiman stated.
He urged students, staff, and the public to prioritise fire safety and report hazardous situations promptly.
