A significant number of students at Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Ndiwo Itumbauzo, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, have been left stranded after a fire outbreak destroyed the school building on Sunday.
According to PTA staff member Mr. Christopher Sunday, the fire began around 10:00 am while most residents were attending church services. He explained that the classrooms were locked at the time, and members of the community had to break into the building to rescue a few desks. Unfortunately, the absence of water allowed the fire to spread to nearby farmlands.
The school principal, Mr. Uweola Onukwuo, revealed that the affected building housed SS1, SS2, SS3 classrooms, the staff room, laboratory, and school hall. As a temporary measure, classes have been moved to an old, less suitable building. Onukwuo assured that an official report would be made to education authorities in Ohafia and Umuahia.
Deacon Bassey Uwabunkeonye, the mayor of Bende LGA, promised to collaborate with the community to provide a better learning space for the students while awaiting intervention from the state government. He also suggested that the council might consider acquiring a fire truck to address emergencies, given the distance from Umuahia and Ohafia.
The crown prince of the community, Prince Innocent Iniewe, called on the state government to assist in rebuilding the destroyed structure.
Chief Fire Officer of Abia State, Arua Nnanna, stated on Friday that his office had not yet been informed about the fire incident. He noted that plans were underway to establish fire-fighting units in various LGAs in collaboration with local authorities.