A popular private hospital in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the Universal Specialist Hospital was in the early hours of today gutted by fire.
The ugly incident, claimed the life of the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Akintayo Oguntuase, who also doubled as the proprietor of the hospital.
Medical equipment and other valuable items worth several millions of naira were destroyed by the inferno which lasted for almost two hours.
However, patients, who were in the hospital when the incident occurred were rescued.
DAILY POST gathered that the fire started at 2.00 am midnight after an electric surge had occurred in the hospital.
It was further learnt that the fire caused more havoc on the building due to the inability of the State Fire Service Department to act immediately on the calls by sympathizers.
An eyewitness said, “when we discovered that the hospital was burning, we quickly put a call to the Fire Service Department but to our surprise, we were told that, their vehicle is not in good shape and that they must repair the vehicle before they can come to our rescue”
The hospital located close to Akure High School was known for its efficient medical service and it was well patronized by both the low and high class people.
Although, the main cause of the fire incident could not be ascertained as at press time, it was learnt that a power surge occurred few minutes to the incident.
It would be recalled that a similar incident occurred penultimate Saturday at the Arakale gas company, Akure.
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