A devastating fire erupted at the Bishop Crowther Memorial Seminary School in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, late Saturday night, resulting in the death of one student and significant property damage.
The blaze, which started around 11:30 pm, destroyed a hostel, including mattresses and personal belongings of the students. The deceased student was subsequently taken to a mortuary.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, immediate action by the Anambra State Fire Service helped prevent further damage. Chukwudi Chiketa, the state Fire Service Chief, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday.
Chiketa visited the school on Sunday morning for a firsthand inspection. According to the statement titled “Update on the Incident that Occurred in Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka,” Chiketa detailed the events and the fire service’s response.
“The Anambra State Fire Service Chief arrived at Bishop Crowther Memorial Seminary School, Awka, at 10:55 a.m. on Sunday for a firsthand inspection and assessment of the level of damage caused by the fire outbreak that occurred on Saturday night in the school.
“Recall that Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at 11:30 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, reporting a fire outbreak in one of the school’s hostels. Our firefighters and one of the fire trucks were deployed immediately to the scene of the incident, and the fire was contained.
“The cause of this fire is still unknown, but it’s confirmed that one of the students died at the scene and has been taken to a mortuary.
“The school Principal, Ven. Dr. Emendu, who received the fire chief, narrated how the fire affected a part of the school’s hostel, damaged everything, including mattresses and other students’ belongings therein, and left one dead. According to the principal, there was no other casualty, and no injury was recorded.”
Emendu praised the state fire service for their swift response, which prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.
Chiketa expressed his condolences to the school community and the family of the deceased student. “It’s always painful and heartbreaking to lose a child, not to talk of in such a situation of fire outbreak. I pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.
The Fire Chief also advised the public to remain vigilant about fire safety, emphasizing that while fire can be deadly, it is preventable and controllable. “Fire kills, but it can be controlled. People should always be safety conscious and careful in all that they do,” he urged.
