Fire destroys university building

A BUILDING that housed two important services for the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment in Vudal, East New Britain, was lost in a fire on
Tuesday.
The university’s mini-mart building was razed between 10pm and 11pm as students and staff watched helplessly.
It was one of the oldest buildings at the university’s grounds – standing since its agricultural college days.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The building was rented by Hongland Enterprise Ltd and Post
PNG.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr James Yoko said: “The university is saddened by the loss of two very important services to the community.”
He said the Post Office services and the store had benefited students, staff and the surrounding communities.
Yoko said the two businesses renting the facility had provided a convenient service.
Officers from the provincial fire office and Kerevat police station were at the scene the following morning to investigate the cause of the fire.
Provincial Fire commander Nason Palnave said he would do a report and send it to head office in Port Moresby for further assessment before they released a proper report to the university.
The two companies said they could not do much because it was an unexpected incident.
However, both expressed interest to continue their services.
Hongland Enterprise general manager Ronald Midi said: “The owners of Hongland do not want to talk about how much they have lost, they are waiting for the university to give approval to the company to put up a new building.”
Samuel Hageyo, Post PNG regional development manager, said they had lost more than K150,000 worth of products and money.
“We can’t do much but we are requesting if the university can give us another building to continue the services,” he said.