From Isaac Ojo
Paul University, Awka, is in the news again an early morning inferno has destroyed some laboratory equipment and portions of the facility on Wednesday.
The fire outbreak was however successfully contained by operatives of the Anambra State Fire Service before it could cause major damage or loss of life.
A statement issued by the Anambra State Fire Service on Thursday, said that a distress call was received at about 1:10 a.m on the day of the incident, which led to immediate deployment of firefighters to the university.
The Fire Service said its personnel commenced firefighting operations immediately on arrival at the scene, working swiftly to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings within the institution.
Preliminary findings, according to the statement, indicated that the fire was suspected to have been triggered by a power surge.
The affected structure was identified as a one-storey building housing a chemical and medical laboratory, where laboratory equipment, materials and parts of the building were damaged by the inferno.
The firefighting operation which was said to have been carried out in conjunction with some members of the public lasted for about three hours.
The Anambra State Fire Service has however advised residents, institutions and property owners to ensure that electrical installations are properly maintained and protected against power surges to reduce the risk of fire outbreak in their facilities.
