In the early hours of Thursday, December 5, 2024, a fire broke out in Block B of Queen Elizabeth II Hall at the University of Ibadan. The incident, reportedly caused by an electrical fault, began around 1:46 a.m. and was preceded by cries of “fire” from residents of the affected block.
Earlier warnings about heavy loads had been issued on December 3 at 11:34 p.m. and December 4 at 8:20 a.m., urging students to disconnect high-power electrical devices due to unusual noises from the power source.
In response to the outbreak, students from the hall and neighboring Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall (ZIK Hall) quickly mobilized to combat the fire. Notably, Elemide and Student Union President Aweda Bolaji arrived at the scene with fire extinguishers at about 2:04 a.m., contributing to the containment efforts.
The University of Ibadan Fire Extinguishing Team arrived promptly at 2:10 a.m. and began active firefighting by 2:14 a.m. The fire was fully extinguished by 2:32 a.m., thanks to the collaborative efforts of students and emergency responders.
This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to fire safety protocols and maintaining emergency preparedness. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Investigations are underway to determine the precise cause of the fire and to prevent future occurrences.
