2 children killed as fire destroys buildings in Rivers

Two siblings have been burnt to death as a fire outbreak destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the Rumuola axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Daily Trust gathered that the fire outbreak started at about 10pm on Sunday, from one of the rooms in the makeshift buildings where a mother had […]

Two siblings have been burnt to death as a fire outbreak destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the Rumuola axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Daily Trust gathered that the fire outbreak started at about 10pm on Sunday, from one of the rooms in the makeshift buildings where a mother had locked her four children and went out to buy some items for cooking.
Residents of the area said out of the four children, two who were already asleep were burnt to death while their two elder siblings, who were still awake, were able to escape.
Although the cause of the fire incident could not be immediately ascertained, a resident of the area posted on social media that the narrative that the inferno occurred inside the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, was untrue, saying it actually happened behind the school.
He said the makeshift structures, which were completely razed, housed many rooms with over 27 families living there, expressing sadness that they have been rendered homeless.
He said, “It is a makeshift building behind the school. It is a gory site. I’m standing beside two children who have lost their lives in this fire.”
Another resident, simply identified as Meg, said, “The fire started from the woman who lost her two children. She was cooking at about 10pm yesterday (Sunday). The stove she was using to cook was on. She then locked the door to go and buy some ingredients.
“When she came back, the fire had engulfed the buildings. The two children who were awake tried to save their younger siblings but later ran out because of the heat from the fire. So that was how the two younger children were burnt to death.”
He stated that the older children were banging the door of their room, shouting for help from neighbours without response, before they found a way of escape, while their younger siblings, aged six and eight years respectively, were burnt beyond recognition.
Police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said the deceased children were nine and five years of age.
She said an investigation into the incident has commenced to ascertain the cause of the inferno, stating that the mother of the children has been invited for questioning.