By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI—NO fewer than 19 students were, yesterday, hospitalized, following a fire incident at Model Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School, Ugwuachara, Abakaliki.

It was gathered that the students were about to sleep around 11pm, when a fire alarm was raised. There had been electric sparks from one of the fuses in the hostel.

The students, out of fear, scampered for safety. Many got injured in the ensuing melee in a bid to escape the fire.

When Vanguard visited the school, there was relative calm. The Principal, who did not want her name in print, thanked God that no life was lost.

She expressed confidence that the state government would assist the school towards improving the lot of the students.