A devastating fire at Bishop Crowther Memorial Seminary School in Awka, Anambra State capital, resulted in the death of one student and significant property damage. The fire, which broke out around 11:30 pm on Saturday, destroyed the school’s hostel, including mattresses and other belongings of the students.
The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The Anambra State Fire Service, led by Chief Chukwudi Chiketa, responded promptly to the distress call, deploying firefighters and a fire truck to contain the blaze. Despite their efforts, one student succumbed to the fire and was taken to a mortuary.
A statement from the Media Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident. Chief Chiketa visited the school on Sunday for an inspection and was briefed by the school principal, Ven. Dr. Emendu. The principal described the extensive damage to a part of the hostel and confirmed that no other casualties or injuries were reported.
“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 damages caused by the fire outbreak that occurred on Saturday night,” the statement read. It highlighted that the fire service received a distress call at 11:30 pm and quickly responded, successfully containing the fire.
Chief Chiketa expressed his condolences to the school’s management and students, as well as the family of the deceased student. He emphasized the importance of fire safety and urged the public to remain vigilant and safety-conscious to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The principal, Ven. Dr. Emendu, praised the fire service for their swift response, which prevented the fire from spreading further. He shared the grief of the school community and the family of the deceased, expressing hope for divine consolation in their time of loss.
