Two young brothers, Jelad Oluwaranakinse, aged five, and his three-year-old sibling, Jenson, tragically lost their lives in a fire that engulfed their apartment in the Oluwatuyi area of Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday.
According to eyewitness accounts, the boys were reportedly locked inside their home by their mother, Mrs. Deborah Oluwaranakinse, who had stepped out to buy food. While she was away, a fire broke out, completely destroying the apartment and claiming the lives of the children.
“Neighbours tried to extinguish the fire and rescue the children, but their efforts were in vain,” an eyewitness said. “The state fire service was called, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. The children had already perished.”
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Another witness described the fire as sudden and noted that the cause remained unknown at the time of the report. Despite the neighbours’ frantic efforts to douse the flames, the blaze was uncontrollable.
The charred remains of the two boys were later recovered and taken to the morgue at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure.
Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident on Thursday, stating that an investigation was underway to ascertain the cause of the fire.
“The two male children, Jelad Oluwaranakinse, aged five, and Jenson Oluwaranakinse, aged three, were locked inside the house by their mother, Mrs. Deborah Oluwaranakinse, who had gone out in search of food. Unfortunately, the children were choked and burnt in the fire. Investigations have begun,” the PPRO stated.
