Regional News of Thursday, 28 September 2006

Source: GNA

Sunyani Poly student dies in fire outbreak

Sunyani (B/A), Sept. 28, GNA - Mr Eric Sekyere, a 23 year-old second year student in Building Technology at the Sunyani Polytechnic died at the Regional Hospital on Saturday after sustaining injuries in a fire outbreak in his private hostel.

Mr George Nunekpeku, President of the Students Representative Council of the Polytechnic told the Ghana News Agency the incident occurred at a private students' hostel at the Sunyani Magazine. He said there were no clues as to what caused the fire, but hinted that the students suspected either an electrical fault or a lit candle might have caused it.

The SRC President said some of the students suspected that the deceased might have been asleep in the room when the fire broke out. He said others claimed that on seeing that his room was on fire, the deceased entered to pick his mobile phone and money, but slipped on his way out and a tent, which was in flames fell on him. Mr Nunekpeku said the deceased's roommates were not present at the time of the incident but later rushed in to put off the fire and sent the deceased, who was then very weak to the hospital where he died a few days after admission.

He urged private hostel developers to liase with school authorities towards the development of a fallow piece of land near the Polytechnic to house students.

Mr Nunekpeku also appealed to the GETFund Board to release the GETFund hostel to the school authorities to manage. When the GNA contacted the Principal of the Polytechnic, Dr Kwasi Nsiah Gyabaah, he confirmed the incident but declined to comment further.