A tragic fire outbreak in the early hours of Thursday around the old Mangu market in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has claimed the lives of six siblings aged between four months and 12 years.
Family sources said the fire broke out at about 2am, trapping the children inside the house. Their mother sustained serious injuries while attempting to rescue them and is currently receiving treatment at Allah Nakowa Hospital in Mangu town.
An uncle of the victims, Umar Basbangida Aliyu, explained that the mother and her nine children had been watching television late into the night before the incident. He said three of the children went to sleep earlier, while the mother remained with the six who later died in the inferno.
Aliyu said the cause of the fire could not be immediately determined, adding that there was electricity supply before the family went to bed. He noted that the mother sustained injuries while trying desperately to save her children.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, alongside the chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, visited the bereaved family to commiserate with them and pledged government support to help rebuild the destroyed house.
The incident has thrown the community into deep mourning, as sympathisers from both Muslim and Christian communities trooped to the scene to offer condolences and assistance to the grieving family.
