Six UNZA Students Escape Unharmed After Hostel Fire Destroys Rooms at Great East Road Campus

Six students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) narrowly escaped injury after a fire destroyed two hostel rooms at the institution’s Great East Road Campus on Sunday evening.

The fire broke out at around 7:00 p.m. in Room 18 of the October 2 Hostel before quickly spreading to the neighbouring Room 28.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the blaze may have started from an electrical socket while students were using an electric cooker.

The fire destroyed valuable personal belongings, including laptops, refrigerators, clothing, important documents and other household items, leaving the affected students with substantial losses.

The six occupants managed to escape safely after raising the alarm as thick smoke filled the hostel. Emergency responders from the Fire Brigade arrived at the scene and successfully contained the fire before it could spread to other sections of the building.

Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident.

“The fire destroyed clothing, laptops, refrigerators, documents, and other personal belongings in Room 18 before spreading to the neighbouring Room 28, where additional property was also destroyed,” Chilabi said.

Police have since examined the scene and launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the fire. The value of the damaged property has not yet been established.