A devastating fire has claimed the lives of two young children in the Oluwatuyi area of Akure, Ondo State. The siblings, Jelad Oluwaranakinse, 5, and Jenson Oluwaranakinse, 3, were trapped in their apartment when flames suddenly engulfed their home on Wednesday. Despite frantic efforts from neighbours and a swift response from the fire service, the inferno proved too overwhelming, and the children perished in the blaze.
The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, sparking questions about the safety measures in place for young children and the responsibility of parents in ensuring their well-being. Eyewitnesses recount how the children were left inside their home by their mother, Mrs. Deborah Oluwaranakinse, who had stepped out to run errands and buy food.
Trapped in Flames
According to a neighbour, who requested to remain anonymous, the fire broke out unexpectedly, with no prior signs of danger. “We heard screams and saw smoke billowing from the house. People tried to break down the door, but it was locked. We could hear the children inside, but there was nothing we could do to stop the fire,” the neighbour said, visibly shaken by the experience.
As the fire spread rapidly, other neighbours attempted to douse the flames with buckets of water, but their efforts proved in vain. “We called the fire service immediately, but by the time they arrived, the fire had already consumed everything. The children had already perished,” another eyewitness said, tears in their eyes.
The flames, which started in the mid-afternoon, reduced the apartment to rubble in a matter of minutes, leaving no time for escape. The fire service arrived too late to save the children. They were able to extinguish the fire but were unable to revive the two innocent lives lost in the tragedy.
A Mother’s Agony
Mrs. Deborah Oluwaranakinse, the children’s mother, was not at the scene when the fire broke out. She had gone out to buy food, leaving her two sons inside their home, locked away for their safety, as many parents do. However, in this instance, the locked door turned out to be a fatal barrier between life and death.
Speaking from her home in a voice filled with disbelief, a family member said, “She went out for only a short while, but she never thought that a tragedy like this could happen.”
The police have begun an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, although there are no clear indications yet of what might have sparked it. Mrs. Oluwaranakinse was too distraught to comment publicly on the incident. “It’s too painful to talk about,” a family friend stated on her behalf.
Fire Service and Emergency Response
The Ondo State Fire Service was alerted immediately after the fire was noticed by neighbours, but they could not prevent the fatal outcome. Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, confirmed the deaths of the two children in a statement. “The fire started in their absence, and despite the valiant efforts of the neighbours and the fire service, the kids were already gone by the time help arrived. The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” she said.
The authorities are now urging parents to be more cautious when leaving children unattended, especially during the day when fires can start without warning. “While we await the full report, this tragic incident reminds us of the importance of ensuring that our homes are safe for our children. We cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to fire safety,” Mrs. Odunlami added.
The Investigation
The local police have begun their inquiries into the cause of the fire. The charred remains of the two children were recovered and transported to the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure for autopsy. Although the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, investigators are focusing on possible electrical faults, cooking accidents, or other potential hazards that may have caused the blaze.
The investigation will also look into whether the children’s safety was compromised by being locked inside the house, with some concerned residents questioning whether this was a contributory factor.
Community Reactions
The heartbreaking incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and concern from the community. Residents of the Oluwatuyi area are calling for increased safety measures in homes, as well as more public education on fire prevention.
“I’ve lived in this area for many years, and we’ve never seen anything like this,” a long-time resident of the community said, her voice heavy with sorrow. “This could have been avoided if people took better precautions. We need to do better to protect our children.”
In addition to the emotional toll, the incident has highlighted the importance of fire safety education, particularly for families with young children. The Akure Fire Service has promised to increase awareness campaigns to teach people about fire prevention and preparedness.
National Conversations on Child Safety
The tragedy in Ondo has also reignited broader conversations about child safety across Nigeria. Advocates are calling for stronger regulations regarding the safety of children left at home, as well as policies to ensure that all homes are equipped with basic fire safety measures, such as extinguishers and alarms.
While some argue that it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children are never left alone in unsafe conditions, others point out the challenges faced by many families in balancing work, childcare, and safety concerns. These discussions have sparked debate among policymakers and child advocacy groups across the country.
