A fire outbreak at Paul University, Awka, destroyed laboratory equipment and damaged portions of a chemical and medical laboratory building in the early hours of Wednesday, July 22, before operatives of the Anambra State Fire Service brought the blaze under control with no casualties or injuries recorded.

The Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at approximately 1:10 a.m. and deployed firefighters to the institution immediately. Personnel commenced firefighting operations on arrival, working to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjoining structures within the university. The operation was concluded at approximately 3:15 a.m. after the fire was fully extinguished and the affected area secured.

The affected structure was a one storey building housing a chemical and medical laboratory. Laboratory equipment, materials and portions of the building sustained damage. Preliminary findings by the Fire Service indicated that a power surge was the suspected cause of the outbreak.

The agency confirmed that its personnel successfully contained the fire before it could escalate to nearby buildings, limiting further losses to the institution. Members of the public who assisted firefighters during the emergency operation were also commended for their support.

The Anambra State Fire Service used the incident to advise residents, institutions and property owners to ensure that electrical installations are properly maintained and protected against power surges to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks in their facilities.