Eighteen female students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, escaped unhurt when part of the University Hall popularly known as Katanga caught fire.
The Eastern Wing of the Hall where about 20 first year female students were located was engulfed in fire in what is suspected to be arson.
A source close to the Ashanti Regional Office of the Ghana National Fire Service told GBC, five of the affected rooms were occupied by 18 out of the 20 female students, who were asleep at the time of the fire.
The remaining two female occupants of the place were said to have traveled home at the time of the incident. The Hall used available fire extinguishers to put out the fire as an interim safety measure.
As part of investigations, Fire Service personnel have gathered some exhibits which have been tendered in for Forensic examination to determine the type of fuel used in the suspected arson.
When contacted, the University’s Public Relations Officer Kwame Yeboah, confirmed the incident but said the situation is under control. He said the matter has been reported to the KNUST Police Station for the necessary action to be taken.
Meanwhile, Management of the University has held an emergency meeting on the incident.
The conversion of Katanga Hall by Management of KNUST from an all male Hall to a mixed one was met with fierce resistance by current and Old Students of the Hall.
The protesting students went on a street protest in Kumasi and later petitioned the Chancellor of the University, Otumfuo Osei Tutu as well as President Akufo-Addo.
