Panic gripped students early Saturday, March 14, after a fire outbreak destroyed at least five dormitories at All Saints Catholic Comprehensive College in Bayelle, Bamenda.
The incident, which occurred around 2:20 a.m., forced students to flee their rooms as flames rapidly spread through parts of the dormitory block, burning personal belongings and causing widespread alarm on campus.
According to the chief of the Army Rescue Unit Cameroon, Senior Warrant Officer Taku Paul, the rescue team responded immediately after receiving a distress call in the early hours of the morning.
“We received a phone call around 2:20 a.m. reporting a fire outbreak at the college. We immediately rushed there and realized there were many children outside, both boys and girls, from the dormitory. The first thing was to look for a safe place where we could keep the children before going in to quench the fire,” he explained.
Upon arrival, rescue officers discovered intense flames engulfing several rooms within the dormitory block.
“There was a huge flame coming out from all directions in that dormitory, about five different rooms,” Senior Warrant Officer Taku Paul said.
“The first step was to place the students in a safe position and then work on containing the fire to stop it from extending to other buildings.”
The situation was complicated by the panic among students who rushed out of the dormitories in fear. However, school authorities, including priests and nuns present on campus, assisted in organizing and calming the students as firefighters battled the blaze.
“It wasn’t easy because there was a lot of panic,” Taku Paul added. “But with the help of the authorities of the school, the father and the sisters who were there, we positioned the students where they were safe and reassured them that everything was going to be okay.”
Fire Contained
The army rescue unit eventually succeeded in containing the fire, preventing it from spreading to other structures within the school compound.
Although no deaths were recorded, about two students sustained minor bruises while rushing out of the dormitories for safety. The fire, however, destroyed students’ personal belongings, leaving many without basic necessities.
Following the incident, Senior Warrant Officer Taku Paul called on schools, markets, and churches to strengthen fire safety measures, particularly by installing and learning how to properly use fire extinguishers.
“I want to urge all institutions—schools, markets, and churches—not only to have fire extinguishers but also to ensure people know how to use them,” he said. “Night watch personnel and staff should be trained so they can manage a fire outbreak before emergency services arrive.”
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially established. Meanwhile, school authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and working on temporary arrangements for affected students.
