Panic broke out at Pong Tamale Senior High School (SHS) on Monday evening after a fire engulfed parts of the girls’ dormitory, coming barely 24 hours after a similar incident at Tolon Senior High School.

The blaze, which reportedly started from the washrooms, triggered chaos among students as they rushed out of the dormitory in fear. The Ghana National Fire Service responded swiftly and contained the fire before it spread further.

Despite the quick response, the incident left several students in distress. Some collapsed during the evacuation and were rushed to the Savelugu Hospital for medical attention.

This is not the first time the girls’ dormitory at Pong Tamale SHS has been hit by fire. A similar incident occurred about six years ago.

The latest outbreak marks the third fire incident involving girls’ dormitories in the Northern Region within a week. Last week, fires struck Tolon Senior High School and the Northern School of Business (NOBISCO), heightening anxiety among students, parents, and school authorities.

At Tolon SHS, the fire displaced 346 students, including 127 female students, who were sent home temporarily. At NOBISCO, the fire affected accommodation for about 900 female students.

The spate of incidents has renewed concerns over fire safety and emergency preparedness in senior high schools across the region. Authorities say investigations are underway to determine the causes of the fires.

Students who were sent home following the Tolon SHS fire are expected to return to school next week.