Fire Kills 3 Family Members in Benue

George Okoh in Makurdi

An early morning fire outbreak yesterday at a residence in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State claimed the lives of three siblings.

The accident which occurred at a two bedroom Jesus College Quarters home of the father of the victims, Mr. Ochoche Ode, started around 1a.m.

According to Ode, the fire was noticed at about 1a.m. yesterday by the wife’s little sister who perceived the smell of something burning while the three kids were asleep.

Ode, who is a teaching staff of Jesus College, was in the other room of the house with his wife when they were alerted.

He said, “Just when I was about to find out what was going on, the fire surged covering the whole room where the kids were sleeping and in an attempt to force himself into the room to rescue the children my face got badly burnt.”

The sobbing father said all attempts by neighbours to quell the fire failed and all the three children were burnt to death.

The incident has thrown the whole town into mourning.

It is yet unknown what led to the fire incident.

When contacted the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Hon. George Ali confirmed the accident.

He described the incident as unfortunate and sad while calling on residents of the town to take precautions to protect their environment.

Ali said with the coming of the harmattan season wind fire outbreaks occur easily.

The Benue State Police Command are yet to react to the incident.

The charred remains of the siblings have since been buried in Otukpo.