UCH: Patients take to heels as fire guts Accidents and Emergency ward

For a moment, patients at the Accident and Emergency Ward of the University College Hospital, UCH, in Ibadan forgot their pains to escape a fire that raised the building.

The fire was reportedly started by a gas explosion.

The explosion and the resultant fire sent patients running in different directions, eyewitnesses said.

“I was waiting at the side of the building for a relative who was inside when the explosion occurred. It was a loud one and I understand that it was a gas explosion,” Mrs Dolapo Haastrup who witnessed the incident told Punch.

“We all ran away and from where I was, I saw many patients being rushed out. Some were on crutches and even beds. Relatives had to dare the consequences to enter the building to save their loved ones who were either admitted or who came for treatment at the A&E ward.

I cannot say if anyone was injured in the fire, but the building is destroyed.”

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But the hospital spokesman, Deji Bobade said there was no gas explosion.

“An electric spark started the fire and it was huge. All patients have been evacuated safely. No one was injured in the fire. The damage is massive and with the way things are, we might have to relocate the ward to another building for now.

“It started after 4pm but fire fighters from the UCH, Federal Road Service Corp, the police and other agencies are still here. The fire has been put under control,” he said..