Four members of a family have perished in a kerosene explosion in their home in Ikot Ekpo community, Calabar, Cross River State on Monday, August 24.
The deceased are the father, Esuabana Thomas aged 45, two children identified as Esua Thomas (14) and Edet Thomas (12), and an in-law identified as Mathias.
According to report by PunchNG, the kerosene was being poured in a lantern by one of the children when it exploded, leading to a fire outbreak. It is suspected that the kerosene may have been adulterated.
In a statement by the Landlord of the house, he said that 3 people died in the fire, while the fourth person died on the way to the hospital. The mother and daughter fortunately escaped the fire.
He’s quoted as saying,
“I got a call around 10pm that there was a fire incident in my house, so I rushed down there. By the time I got there, the neighbours had succeeded in putting out the fire. But they did not know that people had been burnt inside because it seemed there were no screams.
“It was after the fire was extinguished that we discovered three persons inside who were already dead. Another victim, who was also fatally burnt, was rushed to hospital, but he gave up the ghost on the way and his dead body was brought back. The only survivor among the children is the daughter. I met her in a church close to my compound, very frightened.
“She told me that the mum asked the elder brother to refuel the lantern, but the boy refused and went inside. After some minutes, the mum decided to send her to refuel the lantern; as soon as she poured the kerosene into the already lit but dim lantern, there was an explosion. She said she threw the lantern away and ran out. She said the mother was outside to urinate when the explosion occurred.”
The incident has been confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, and he added that investigation is currently ongoing.
