A devastating fire, ignited by a single mosquito coil, has claimed the lives of four family members in Kano, leaving a community in mourning and serving as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by household items.
Tragedy Strikes in the Early Hours
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, November 19, at a residence located in Kundila, Layin Baba Impossible within the Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State. The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the tragedy in an official statement released by its spokesperson, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.
According to the agency, their Emergency Response Unit received a distress call at approximately 4:13 am from one of their own staff members, HFS Abba Datti. Firefighters were swiftly deployed from the service headquarters to the scene.
A Scene of Horror and a Miraculous Rescue
Upon arrival, the firefighters were met with a harrowing sight. A ground-floor residential building measuring 40 by 30 feet was completely engulfed in flames. The fire, which preliminary investigations suggest was triggered by a mosquito coil left burning in the parlour, had spread rapidly.
It consumed two bedrooms, a parlour, a toilet, and a kitchen. Tragically, five individuals were trapped inside the inferno. The victims were identified as Shodandi, the 43-year-old father; Rafi'a, the 30-year-old mother; their 3-year-old daughter, Mardiya Shodandi; their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Yusira Shodandi; and their 12-year-old son, Aminu Shodandi.
Despite the firefighters' efforts, they could not reach the family in time to save everyone. The intense blaze claimed the lives of the father, mother, and the two younger children. They were burnt to death before help could arrive. In a stroke of miracle amidst the tragedy, the firefighters managed to rescue the 12-year-old boy, Aminu, who survived the ordeal.
Official Condolences and a Critical Safety Warning
The Kano State Fire Service has expressed its profound condolences to the bereaved family and the entire community. The agency used this tragic event to issue a crucial public safety warning.
They cautioned residents to exercise greater care, especially during the harmattan season, when the dry and windy conditions make fire outbreaks more frequent and intense. The simple act of leaving a mosquito coil unattended overnight led to an unimaginable loss, highlighting how everyday fire hazards must be managed with extreme caution.
