A couple identified as Mr and Mrs Francis Ekanem, lost their two
children and home, in Ikot Usen, Ibiono LGA, Akwa Ibom state. According
to an eyewitness, the tragedy occurred in the morning on August 1st.
The couple, reportedly bean cake (akara) traders, were outside by 2am
grinding the beans needed to prepare their product later in the day.
Their children were asleep in a room and a lit candle was also in the
house. The candle fell and started a fire but the busy couple were
initially not aware.
The eyewitness claimed that the children shouted fire and tried to
escape from the house but couldn’t because of the burglary proof. The
parents were later alerted to the fire outbreak and Mrs Ekanem ran to
alert the fire service for help.
Sadly, the children were burnt to death before they could be rescued.
The house was also totally gutted by fire. Police have started an
investigation into the incident.
