Fire guts University College Hospital ward

The Accident and Emergency Ward of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, was gutted by fire on Tuesday, destroying the multi-million naira building and equipment.

Eyewitnesses said the fire began with a loud explosion, as patients and visitors ran in different directions during the commotion created by the fire.

A witness, Mrs. Dolapo Haastrup, said, “I was waiting at the side of the building for a relative who was inside when the explosion occurred. Everybody ran away and from where I was, I saw many patients being brought out. Some were on crushes and others on beds. Some of their relatives dared the consequences by forcing their way into the building to save their loved ones.”

The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Deji Bobade, said an electric spark caused the fire and that the ward might be relocated to another building.

He said, “The fire started around 4pm, but firefighters from the UCH, Federal Road Safety Corps, the police, and other rescue agencies, put it out. All patients were rescued and no one was injured.

“However, the damage is massive and with the way things are, we may have to relocate the ward to another building for now.”