A tragic fire accident has claimed the lives of four family members in the early hours of Wednesday at Kundila Layin Baba Impossible in the Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State. According to the Kano State Fire Service, the deadly incident was caused by a mosquito coil that was left burning overnight in the family’s parlour.
The incident occurred at about 4:13 am when the Fire Service received an emergency call from a concerned resident. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they met a ground-floor residential building already engulfed in flames. The fire had spread through two bedrooms, one parlour, a toilet and a kitchen, trapping five people inside.
Unfortunately, four of them did not survive. The victims were identified as Shodandi, aged about 43; his wife, Rafi’a, aged about 30; and their two young daughters, Mardiya, aged about three, and Yusira, aged about one and a half. The only survivor was a 12-year-old boy, Aminu Shodandi, who was rescued alive by firefighters.
In a statement, the Fire Service said: “Four of them were burnt to death.” The agency expressed deep sympathy to the affected family and the community. “The director and entire staff of this agency offer their condolences to the families of those who died,” the statement added.
The fire has left residents of Kundila Layin Baba Impossible in shock. Neighbours gathered outside the burnt home on Wednesday morning, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of an entire household. Many described the victims as peaceful and hardworking people who kept to themselves and lived a quiet life.
Community members told journalists that they woke up to loud noises and the smell of smoke but were unable to break into the house due to the intensity of the flames. Some residents said the fire spread very quickly, giving little chance for escape.
The tragedy highlights the dangers of common household items like mosquito coils, which are widely used across Nigeria to ward off mosquitoes. While mosquito coils are affordable and easily available, officials warn that they can be dangerous when left burning in enclosed spaces or near flammable objects.
The Kano State Fire Service used the incident to caution the public about fire safety, especially during the harmattan season. Around this time of the year, Nigeria typically experiences dry winds, low humidity and increased dust in the air. These conditions make it easier for fires to start and spread quickly.
“Preliminary investigation showed they used mosquito coil at their parlour before sleeping,” the Fire Service said. The agency urged residents to exercise extra caution with fire-related materials, including candles, stoves, gas cylinders and electrical appliances.
In many Nigerian homes, it is common practice to burn mosquito coils at night due to the high presence of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. However, experts warn that the glowing end of a mosquito coil can easily ignite nearby materials like curtains, mattresses, clothing or papers if not placed in a safe location.
Wednesday’s accident adds to the rising number of fire incidents reported across Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Many households in cities like Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt live in buildings with limited ventilation and multiple tenants, increasing the risk of fire outbreaks.
The Fire Service in several states has repeatedly warned that poor handling of electrical appliances, overloading sockets, using kerosene lamps and improper storage of fuel are among the leading causes of domestic fires. In Kano, the harmattan season often brings a spike in such cases.
In addition, many old residential buildings lack basic fire safety tools such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers or accessible emergency exits. This makes it difficult to respond quickly when fires start.
The tragic loss of the Shodandi family has prompted renewed calls for greater public awareness of fire safety practices. Advocacy groups and safety experts say government agencies should intensify campaigns through radio, television and community outreach programmes to educate residents on how to prevent fire outbreaks.
For the people of Tarauni Local Government Area, the death of the four family members is a painful reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike. The loss of two parents and their young daughters has cast a shadow of grief across the community.
As the Fire Service continues to investigate the incident, officials are urging Nigerians to take simple steps that can help save lives. These include keeping mosquito coils in safe holders, placing them far from flammable materials, ensuring good ventilation and avoiding sleeping too close to burning coils.
