A two-year-old girl was on Saturday burnt to death, while scores of residents were rendered homeless as fire razed Ovom community in Bayelsa State.
Ovom, a community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, is where the Creek Haven, Bayelsa State Government House, is situated.
It was learnt that the fire, which started about 8pm on Saturday destroyed over 15 houses in the area.
There was lamentation as the inferno was said to have damaged property worth millions of naira.
A businessman, who identified himself only as Godwin, said all he had laboured for over years were destroyed by the inferno.
Godwin said, “A baby was burnt to death. She was only two-year-old. The mother locked her in the house while she sold her goods in her shop. The baby was sleeping before the fire began.
“All my belongings were destroyed by the fire. My only clothes now are the ones I am putting on. This is so shocking; how can people left a lit candle in the house with no one to monitor?
“So, how and where do I start rebuilding my life from now? I have lost everything and it is a very painful experience.”
A worker with the Bayelsa Fire Service, who refused to mention his name, said firefighters were able to put out the fire.
He said, “The fire started in the night; the people living in the area called us, but before we could get to the scene, the fire had wreaked much havoc.
“We went there with many personnel and three of our trucks were able to put out the fire.
“Many houses were burnt and a two-year-old girl lost her life in the inferno. It was very tragic.
“I urge the public against the use of candle because many lives have been lost to fire incidents caused by candle fire. If people must use candle light, then they must be careful.”
Culled: Punch
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