The official residence of the Commandant of the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA, Major General Sarham Jamil, was on Sunday night gutted by fire.

Eye witness say it is not certain which part of the official residence, situated near Sultan Bello Mosque in Unguwar Sarki GRA, the fire started from but flames were sighted around 8pm.

He said fierce looking soldiers prevented civilians around Unguwar Sarki from gaining entrance to render assistance.

Newsmen reports that for decades, the house has been the official residence of the commandants of the military institution. It shares a fence with the prestigious Arewa House and the Guest House of Emir of Katsina in Kaduna and the residence of former Minister of state, Defense, Alhaji Batagarawa.

Another witness said the men of the Nigeria Fire Service reached the house almost one hour after the fire started adding that additional soldiers have been mobilized to the area and have told symphatisers to move far from the house.

Confirming the incident however, the academy Public Relations Officer, Major Abubakar Abdullahi said part of the house was affected by the fire.

He said, “It is not the whole house that caught fire but a store where some items were kept. The fire was immediately contacted and there was no injury or fatality.”

TodayNG