Two children, aged six and eight, have died in a late-night fire that gutted a makeshift building near Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rivers State.
An eyewitness, identified only as Esther, said the fire may have been sparked by a candle. She explained that the older children tried to rescue their younger siblings but were forced back by the intense heat.
Residents alleged that strained relations between neighbours and the children’s mother delayed rescue efforts, despite the victims banging on doors and calling for help. Several nearby families also lost property, including cash, phones, and POS devices.
The children’s mother could not be reached, with reports suggesting she fled the scene shortly after the fire. Fire service personnel arrived after the building had been largely destroyed, but they managed to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading.
The Rivers State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Leave feedback about this