Fire Outbreak Kills Woman, 5-year-old Baby

Sullivan Chime, Enugu State Governor

By Silvanus

It was a tragic day in Enugu Monday following an explosion from suspected adulterated kerosene which ignited fire and in the process claimed the lives of a nursing mother and  her five-year-old daughter, and leaving others, including her husband and a three-months-baby in critical condition.

The woman, Mrs. Nkechi Ozuku, and her daughter, Nnenna, had died at about 11 a. m. at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu following severe burns they sustained in the fire incident that was ignited at their building from the lantern.

Her husband, Emmanuel Ozuku, and a three-months-old baby, Chinemerem, lay critical on the hospital bed and were wrapped in bandages when THISDAY visited the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Narrating the incident, which was said to have occurred on Sunday night, elder brother of the victim, Francis Ozuku, said it followed from an attempt by Nkechi to add kerosene to the lantern they lit after power supply was severed by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

“Immediately, there was an explosion and fire engulfed the entire building.The entire thing covered Nkechi and the children, while my younger brother, Emma, who was already in bed could not find an escape route,” Francis said.

He added that he had run to his brother’s house at No 12b Aguabo road, Iva Valley, on hearing the  explosion, stressing that the prompt response of neighbours had saved the entire building from being razed.

According to Francis, he had seen his brother home that night after they attended a meeting, adding that the incident took place at about 10.00 p. m.

He said through the assistance of neighbours, they were able to take the victims to the hospital, lamenting that the incident was a big blow to him.

He said he suspected that the kerosene said to have been purchased in one of the filling stations in the area on Friday was adulterated.