NAN-H-73
Hostel
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The management of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos, on Thursday said structural engineers have been dispatched to ascertain the level of damages at a female hostel razed by fire.
Dr Charles Oni, the college Director, Public Relations Unit, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Oni said that the findings of the engineers would assist the management in its next line of action.
NAN reports that an early morning inferno had on Wednesday destroyed 20 rooms at the Bakassi Female Hostel in the campus.
The inferno was said to have started at about 5.20 a.m. when the school generator was switched on following a power outage.
Oni said, “Structural engineers are presently inspecting the building to determine the level of damage and make recommendations to the management.
“We cannot demolish the entire building because it is a huge project, and we do not have the funds to carry out such project.
“Investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire in the hostel.
“There are many different versions of what led to the fire outbreak, but the management is combing everywhere to look for facts.’’ The college’s spokesman said that residents of the hostel had been evacuated for safety.
On compensation for the victims, Oni said that the management would make its decision known after the investigation.
NAN reports that Rector of the college, Dr Margaret Ladipo, had on Wednesday visited 13 students receiving treatment at the college medical centre and the Military Hospital, Yaba.
The management had also suspended all academic activities in the campus. (NAN)
OOG/FF/GOK
========
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Olagoke Olatoye