Early Tuesday morning, a devastating fire broke out at the School of Technology, Kano State Polytechnic, completely consuming the Arts and Industrial Department building. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the Spokesperson for the Kano State Fire Service, confirmed the incident to our correspondent. He noted that while the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, investigations are currently underway to uncover the source and assess the full extent of the losses incurred. Abdullahi assured the public that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The incident has caused significant disruption to the academic activities at the polytechnic. Students and staff were seen gathered outside the charred remains of the building, visibly distressed by the damage. Many students have expressed concerns about the loss of their projects and materials stored in the building.
In a related incident, another fire outbreak was reported on Monday night at a local market in the Kano metropolis, resulting in the destruction of several shops and goods worth millions of naira. The Kano State Fire Service was able to bring the blaze under control, but the cause of the fire is also under investigation.
These consecutive fire incidents have raised alarms about fire safety standards in Kano. Authorities are urging institutions and businesses to review their fire safety measures and ensure that functional fire-fighting equipment is in place.
Local government officials are also calling for an increase in public awareness campaigns on fire prevention and safety. The Kano State government has announced plans to conduct a thorough review of safety protocols in public institutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
In response to the fire at the polytechnic, the administration has set up a crisis management team to provide support to affected students and staff. The team will also work with the fire service and other relevant agencies to expedite the investigation and facilitate the rebuilding process.
Victoria Ibiama
