NB247
Two siblings aged between three and five were on Wednesday killed in a fire incident in Akure, the Ondo State capital after rescue efforts came too late.
The victims whose names were given as Jeila and Jersey were roasted to death after fire engulfed their apartment.
Neighbours reported that the children were locked inside the apartment by their mother.
They said it was their mother’s habit of locking the children inside the house whenever she is going out.
The incident happened at Church Street, Oluwatuyi quarters, Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Their father reportedly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital when he heard the news.
Witnesses said the fire began at about 3:30pm.
Other tenants in the building were said to have rushed to pack their belongings while frantic efforts were made to break into the raging fire to rescue the trapped children.
It was learnt that the fire had engulfed a large part of the apartment before help could reach the children.
Burnt remains of the toddlers were found at the entrance of the apartment after the fire was put out.
A tenant in the house who pleaded anonymity said people mistook the children’s cries as normal routine beating from their mother.
It was learnt that Policemen from the B Division in Akure evacuated the corpses after questioning the residents.
Although the police authorities were yet to officially speak on the incident, a police officer who pleaded not to be named, because he was not authorised to speak, said investigations have commenced to ascertain what caused the fire.