A fire suspected to have been caused by an electrical spark destroyed property in two rooms at the University of Zambia's Great East Road Campus Monday night. Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said the fire broke out around 19:00 hours on July 20, 2026, in Room 18 of October 2 Hostel. "Preliminary findings suggest

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A fire suspected to have been caused by an electrical spark destroyed property in two rooms at the University of Zambia’s Great East Road Campus Monday night.

Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said the fire broke out around 19:00 hours on July 20, 2026, in Room 18 of October 2 Hostel.

“Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have originated from an electrical socket while students were using an electric cooker,” Chilabi said.

He said the fire destroyed clothing, laptops, refrigerators, documents, and other personal belongings in Room 18 before spreading to neighboring Room 28, where additional property was also destroyed.

All six students occupying Rooms 18 and 28 managed to escape without sustaining injuries after raising an alarm and calling for help, Chilabi said.

The fire was reported to Handsworth Police Post under Chelstone Police Station. The Fire Brigade responded and successfully extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the hostel.

“The total value of the damaged property has not yet been established. Police visited and processed the scene, and an inquiry file has been opened to establish the circumstances and any further details surrounding the incident,” Chilabi said.

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