Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)’s laboratory razed by Fire

An HIV/AIDS laboratory and clinic, called AIDS Prevention Initiative (APIN) Lab, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, on Thursday evening caught fire.

The lab, which is funded by the USAID, was completely razed.

No lives were lost in the incident, however, the cause of the fire was still unknown as at the time of filing this report.

The State Fire Service was immediately alerted to help contain the fire, while hospital staff and some sympathisers mobilised to move patients to safety.

The hospital's Chief Medical Director, Akin Oshibogun, said the fire was started around 7pm. By 8pm, the fire was put out, but a lot of damage had already been done.

"Some doctors were having a meeting inside the building when they were alerted by shouts of fire! fire! by passersby, and they immediately swung into action to evacuate the building," he said.

The razed structure used to serve as a physiotherapy unit before it was later expanded and converted to an HIV/AIDS treatment and research facility.

LUTH is a federal teaching hospital, attached to the University of Lagos, Akoka.

It celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, with free medical treatment to the public for some categories of ailments.