Six students have escaped unharmed after a fire broke out at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus on Monday evening, destroying property in two hostel rooms.
According to the Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi , the fire occurred around 19:00 hours in Room 18 of the October 2 Hostel and was later reported to Handsworth Police Post under Chelstone Police Station.
Police say preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have started from an electrical socket while students were using an electric cooker.
The blaze destroyed clothing, laptops, refrigerators, documents and other personal belongings in Room 18 before spreading to the neighbouring Room 28, where more property was damaged.
The six students occupying the two rooms managed to escape safely after raising an alarm and calling for help and no injuries were reported.
The Fire Brigade responded to the scene and successfully extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading to other sections of the hostel.
Police have since visited and processed the scene, while an inquiry file has been opened to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The value of the property destroyed has not yet been determined.
By Mulenga Chipampe Makasa
