A mother and her four children have reportedly died after a fire engulfed their residence in Okochiri community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Friday morning.
The fire reportedly trapped the family inside the building before community youths arrived and managed to put out the flames. The Civilian Joint Task Force Commander in Okrika, Igwe Godswill, said his team found the bodies of the woman and four children when they arrived at the scene.
Rivers Fire Triggers Investigation
The cause of the fire had not been established at the time of reporting. Some residents alleged that petrol caught fire after a spark while residents were transferring it into a jerrycan. However, authorities have not confirmed the claim.
Godswill said police officers had already arrived at the scene and taken details of the incident. He added that an investigation would be necessary to determine exactly what caused the fire.
However, the Rivers State Police Command gave a different account. It said a woman and three children died, while other occupants sustained injuries. Police spokesperson Blessing Agabe said an investigation had begun to establish the immediate and remote causes of the fire.
The incident has left residents of Okochiri mourning as authorities continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
