Tears as tragic fire claims lives of 2 siblings in Ondo

A tragic fire incident in Akure, Ondo State, has claimed the lives of two young siblings, Jelad and Jenson Oluwaranakinse.

The children, aged five and three, were fatally injured when a fire engulfed their family’s home in the Oluwatuyi area.

The devastating blaze occurred while their mother, Deborah Oluwaranakinse, stepped out to purchase food for the family. Reports indicate that Deborah had locked her children inside the house for safety as she went to buy food.

Unfortunately, the fire broke out during her absence and rapidly consumed the home. By the time firefighters from the State Fire Service arrived, the house had already been reduced to rubble.

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Neighbours who spoke about the fire outbreak said, “When the fire started, the neighbours around made efforts to put it out and rescue the kids, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

“People called the state fire service, but by the time they arrived, things had gone out of hand. The kids had died,” the eyewitness said.

Another resident of the area said that the fire just started suddenly even as neighbours made several attempts to extinguish the flames to save the children.

Speaking on the unfortunate incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami said an investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Odunlami said, “The two male children left in the room were choked and burnt. One is Jelad Oluwaranakinse, aged five, and the second is Jenson Oluwaranakinse, aged three.

“Their mother, one Mrs Deborah Oluwaranakinse, locked the two children inside their room and went out to search for food. An investigation has commenced,” she said.

Meanwhile, the charred remains of the boys have been deposited at the mortuary of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure.