Two Children Die In Late-Night Fire Near Ignatius Ajuru University
•By Admin
PORT HARCOURT – A late-night fire has killed two children after a makeshift building near the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education went up in flames, leaving the community devastated.
An eyewitness who only identified herself as Esther, said the fire may have been caused by an open flame, likely a candle.
According to her, two older children who were awake attempted to pull their younger siblings from the burning room but were forced back by the heat.
“They tried to help the ones sleeping, but the fire was too much. They ran out, leaving the two others who got burnt,” she said.
The victims, aged eight and six, were trapped inside as the fire spread quickly through the structure.
Residents alleged that strained relations between neighbours and the children’s mother delayed efforts to assist, even as the trapped children reportedly banged on the door and cried for help.
Several families living in the adjoining rooms also lost property.
One resident said he lost his phone, Point of Sale (POS) machine, and over ₦70,000 in cash.
Attempts to reach the children’s mother were unsuccessful, as she allegedly fled the scene shortly after the incident.
Fire service personnel arrived after the structures had already been razed but succeeded in preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.
The Rivers State Police Command has yet to issue a formal statement concerning the incident.
•INDEPENDENTNG.