A fire outbreak in Iyioji community in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi has left a three-year-old baby dead and many others sustaining various degrees of burnt.
The fire incident which occurred around 8 a.m on Friday, at the home of one Mr Ogenyi Chukwu was allegedly caused when a cannon loaded with gun powder and left in the house had contact with fire.
Chukwu who narrated the incident to journalists said their children and 11 other relatives were watching television when suddenly, fire engulfed the entire house leading to a pandemonium.
“The fire incident was triggered when a locally made gun powder metal known as ‘Nkpolali’ placed close to the room where the children were watching television suddenly sparked off fire.
“The fire before being noticed, has already taken over the entire room while the doors and widows of the room were locked.
“I kept the item in my house hoping to use it to celebrate the ‘New Year’ having survived the COVID-19 pandemic and the ENDSARS protest,” he said.
Chukwu, father to some of the fire victims said that their joy in 2020 was short-lived due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which brought economic and social lockdown.
He said that one of the victims, a three-year-old died on the spot during the rescue operation while two others who sustained first degree burnt were immediately admitted at St. Denis Hospital, Ogidi Akaeze.
He added that eight other victims were quickly rushed to the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, in Abakaliki.
Meanwhile, Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu, Chairman, Ivo LGA commiserated with families of the victims, saying that the council would do everything within its powers to ensure that those who sustained injuries were given the best medical attention.
Ogbadu told journalists that he quickly mobilised his aides to the scene as soon as news of the incident was broken to him.
“Immediately I got news of the disaster, I mobilised my aides for rescue operation and to ensure that victims were given urgent medical attention.
“We conveyed two of the victims to St. Denis Hospital, Ogidi Akaeze while eight others were taken to Matta Mesorocodia hospital, in Afikpo where they were rejected and referred to Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.
“We have appealed to medical officers attending to the victims to give them adequate medical attention while on our part, we will ensure that fund is not a hindrance to best medical care,”Ogbadu said.
The chairman urged the people of the area to avoid keeping or storing inflammable items in their homes to avoid future recurrence .
