Two children were feared dead on Sunday night after a fire razed makeshift structures housing more than 27 families behind the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt.
Contrary to reports circulating on social media, the polytechnic itself was not affected. The inferno occurred in a cluster of temporary wooden structures situated behind the institution.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the fire started around 9pm from one of the rooms occupied by a woman and her four children. The mother had reportedly locked the children inside before stepping out to buy items needed to complete a meal she was preparing.
According to a witness who identified herself simply as Esther, the fire was likely triggered by an open flame, possibly a candle. Two of the children were awake when the fire broke out and attempted to rescue their younger siblings who were asleep but were forced to flee due to the intense heat.
“They tried to help the ones sleeping but the fire was too much. They ran out, leaving the two others who got burnt,” she said.
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The deceased children were said to be eight and six years old.
Residents claimed that strained relations between neighbours and the children’s mother hindered timely assistance, even as the trapped children reportedly banged on the door and cried for help.
Several families also lost their belongings as the fire spread rapidly through the adjoining rooms. One resident said he lost his mobile phone, POS machine, and cash totalling over ₦70,000.
Efforts to reach the mother of the deceased children were unsuccessful, as she fled the scene after the incident. There has been no official statement yet from the Rivers State Police Command.
Fire service personnel arrived only after the structures had been completely destroyed, helping to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
