Kelechi Kelechi’s corpse
This is why it is good to always be at peace with your neighbors. Tempers flared on Wednesday on Obele Lawanson Community,
Surulere, Lagos, after a family of seven died in a fire disaster.
Punch correspondent was told that the victims, who lived on
23, Michael Ogun Street, died because their co-tenants did not make effort to
rescue them when they called out for help around 11.30pm on Tuesday.
23, Michael Ogun Street, died because their co-tenants did not make effort to
rescue them when they called out for help around 11.30pm on Tuesday.
Those killed were a textile material dealer, 28-year-old
Kelechi Onoja; his wife, 18-year-old Nkiru; their one year and eight months old
first child, Favour; their three weeks unnamed second baby boy; two
yet-to-be-identified family members; and Nkiru’s 80-year-old mother.
Kelechi Onoja; his wife, 18-year-old Nkiru; their one year and eight months old
first child, Favour; their three weeks unnamed second baby boy; two
yet-to-be-identified family members; and Nkiru’s 80-year-old mother.
Punch Metro learnt that the only survivor was six-year-old
Chidinma, a relative, who sustained burns injuries to her face and hands.
Chidinma, a relative, who sustained burns injuries to her face and hands.
Our correspondent gathered that Nkiru had just given birth
to her baby and her mother had visited for the Omugo rites, a popular Igbo
culture of a mother nursing her daughter’s baby.
to her baby and her mother had visited for the Omugo rites, a popular Igbo
culture of a mother nursing her daughter’s baby.
She was said to be preparing to return on Wednesday with the
two unnamed ladies she brought with her, when tragedy struck.
two unnamed ladies she brought with her, when tragedy struck.
The landlord of the house was late, while his immediate son
lived in the Ijesha area.
lived in the Ijesha area.
The landlord’s grandson, Abdul Jelili, who lives opposite
the apartment, said, “I was sleeping when I heard a noise and quickly rushed
out. I saw smoke coming out of their apartment and quickly got a stick, with
which I broke their toilet window.
the apartment, said, “I was sleeping when I heard a noise and quickly rushed
out. I saw smoke coming out of their apartment and quickly got a stick, with
which I broke their toilet window.
“Smoke billowed out, but I did not hear any movement in the
house and could not tell if anybody was in. All the tenants in the other
apartments did not come out, so I had to rush out to call for help.”
house and could not tell if anybody was in. All the tenants in the other
apartments did not come out, so I had to rush out to call for help.”
Another resident, Ejike Okpara, explained that the
neighbours did not help because there was animosity among the five tenants in
the house.
neighbours did not help because there was animosity among the five tenants in
the house.
He said Nkiru had been accused of not greeting the other
tenants, among other issues, which had caused series of fight in the
neighbourhood.
tenants, among other issues, which had caused series of fight in the
neighbourhood.
He said, “So, when the fire began, the neighbours from both
sides did not come out. When they finally came out, it was to rescue their
families.”
sides did not come out. When they finally came out, it was to rescue their
families.”
But a tenant, Uzor Alajemba, said he had to first rescue his
family when he heard someone raise the alarm.
family when he heard someone raise the alarm.
Punch Metro learnt that youths and other members of the
community eventually mobilised to the scene to combat the inferno.
community eventually mobilised to the scene to combat the inferno.
A man, who claimed to be part of the rescue, Chima Dimkpa,
explained that the burglar-proof bars made rescue difficult.
explained that the burglar-proof bars made rescue difficult.
It was learnt that the grandma had used a candle light to
bathe the baby in the night, and forgot to put it off.
bathe the baby in the night, and forgot to put it off.
Our correspondent was told that after burning out, the fire
ignited the table and engulfed the room. The 80-year-old woman was burnt to
death.
ignited the table and engulfed the room. The 80-year-old woman was burnt to
death.
Kelechi, who had also woken up with other members of the
family, reportedly called for help.
family, reportedly called for help.
He was said to have held tightly to the two sisters, while
his wife carried their boy in her hand. They were burnt to death together.
his wife carried their boy in her hand. They were burnt to death together.
Dimkpa said, “We could have rescued them but for the bars.
Everything was smoking hot and untouchable, including the wall.”
Everything was smoking hot and untouchable, including the wall.”
The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management
Agency, South-West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said, “ The cause of the fire is
yet to be known.”
Agency, South-West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said, “ The cause of the fire is
yet to be known.”
The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe,
said the agency responded to 12 fire disasters over the night, explaining that
there was a need for increased vigilance among residents.
said the agency responded to 12 fire disasters over the night, explaining that
there was a need for increased vigilance among residents.
“We are still at a loss over why the casualty was that high
because the fire itself was not that severe.
because the fire itself was not that severe.
“The kitchen was not affected, so nobody can explain why it
was that serious,” he said.
was that serious,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command,
Joe Offor, confirmed the incident.
Joe Offor, confirmed the incident.
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