Zambia Police officers have burnt a hostel block which houses female UNZA students.

The police officers were pursuing irate students towards the new residence which hosts mostly female students.

The officers continued firing teargas and in the process, one of the blocks at October hostels caught fire.

The female students, who hid in the block, scampered in all directions as others fell down and injured themselves.

Despite burning a hostel, police continued firing teargas canisters at the students who gathered to rescue their colleagues who were still in the block.

Some students who were brunt or injured in the process have been rushed to the hospital but full details are yet to be known.

The fire which started around 01:30, lasted for about 20 minutes.

Around 02:00, two fire trucks of the Lusaka City Council were seen driving to the scene, escorted by police vehicles.

But by the time the fire trucks arrived, students had managed to put out the fire.

Around 02:30, UNZA Vice Chancellor Professor Luke Mumba rushed to the scene to witness the incidence and managed to calm the students down as police officers watched in shock.

The protest which started around 22:00hrs on Thursday, continued until the early hours of Friday.

The irate students blocked the Great East Road as they burnt tires and booths belonging to mobile service providers: Airtel, MTN and Zamtel.

Students are demanding their meal and accommodation allowances which have been delayed since August.

In 2015, another hostel was gutted in similar circumstances and has not yet been fixed, worsening the accommodation crisis at the institution.

More details later.