February 12, (THEWILL) – A female Secondary School, Khulitul Banat Girls College, Kaduna, was on Saturday gutted by fire in Kaduna.
The school, founded by a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, had the upstairs, housing about 50 computers along with four classrooms completely razed.
“The well equipped laboratory, computer sections (with about 50 computers) and 4 classrooms all in the upstairs of the building were all destroyed by the fire”, said Gumi, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
The statement reads: “This is to confirm a fire outbreak in Sheikh Dr Ahmad Gumi’s residence. While the cause of the fire which lasted for about 4 hours has not yet been ascertained, we can confirm that no life was lost.
“However, contrary to media reports, the fire did not affect the second part of the large building, where the Sheikh and his family reside.
“For clarity, part of the big edifice, an upstairs in the main entrance is housing a female Secondary School, KHULITUL BANAT GIRLS COLLEGE, which was founded by Gumi, while the Sheikh stays with his family in large duplexes at the inner part of the house.
“The side that was completely destroyed by the fire is the upstairs of the girls college. The well equipped laboratory, computer sections (with about 50 computers) and 4 classrooms all in the upstairs of the building were all destroyed by the fire.
“The source of the fire is not yet known.
“The Kaduna State Fire Service must be commended as they responded almost promptly to distress calls, but even before they arrived the fire has consumed virtually all the upstairs section. Nothing was removed.
“The downstairs of the school with many classrooms and offices is not touched by the fire.
“Sheikh Gumi and his entire family including his domestic staff were NOT affected and did not sustain any injury as a result of the unfortunate disaster.
“As we investigate to find out the cause of the fire, we thank all well wishers that came almost immediately in hundreds to provide assistance in putting out the fire and to sympathise with Sheikh Gumi. We also thank many others from outside Kaduna that kept calling in demonstration of love and concern.
“Even as we share the concern of many well wishers that this happens to the only school dedicated purely for girls and with emphasis in inculcating decency and supporting the girl child, we give gratitude to Allah and belief that no matter the cause(s), it was designed by Allah to happen.”
