An early morning fire yesterday razed a section of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State. The Guardian learned that the fire started in one of the hospital’s offices on the third floor of the South West 3 ward.

Confirming the incident, a spokesperson for UCH, Funmi Adetuyibi, released a statement saying that the cause of the fire was a spark at the change-over box in the medicine laboratory on the hospital’s third floor.

She said: “The attention of the Management of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, has been drawn to news circulating and viral videos on the fire incident that occurred in the hospital in the early hours of Sunday, September 22.

“The fire incident, which occurred at about 8:10 a.m., was caused by a spark at the change-over box at the medicine laboratory on the hospital’s third floor.

“The fire outbreak was limited to the change-over panel in one of the rooms in the laboratory. No major damage was recorded. The fire was put out immediately by the courageous staff of the hospital who were on the ground.”

Adetuyibi said Fire Service officials also arrived promptly and rendered excellent service to mitigate the effects of the outbreak. The incident did not in any way disrupt the activities of the hospital.

“The management of the hospital under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof Jesse Otegbayo, has put in place all necessary measures to prevent such an occurrence in the hospital.

“The general public is hereby assured of the safety of life and property in the hospital. “The CMD expresses his deep appreciation for the support shown and given to the hospital at all times,” she added.