Tragedy: Fire Kills Three Children, Injures 13 in Yobe
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
At least three children have lost their lives, and 13 others sustained injuries following a series of devastating fire outbreaks across nine communities in Yobe State. The infernos, which occurred between January and March 2024, also left 86 houses in ruins, displacing several residents.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Damaturu, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), Dr. Mohammed Goje, identified electrical faults, careless open-fire handling, cooking gas leaks, bush burning, and improper waste disposal as the primary causes of the fires.
The affected communities, spread across Damaturu, Gulani, and Yusufari Local Government Areas, have been grappling with the aftermath of the destruction. In response, YOSEMA has intensified fire safety awareness campaigns and established Community Safety Committees to enforce preventive measures, especially during the dry Harmattan season.
Dr. Goje emphasised that the agency, in collaboration with the state’s fire service, will enforce strict regulations on bush burning and improper waste disposal to minimise fire risks and safeguard lives and property.
Meanwhile, Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed YOSEMA to conduct an assessment of the destruction to determine the immediate and long-term needs of affected households. He assured victims of swift intervention to aid their recovery.
As the state battles the impact of these fires, authorities continue to urge residents to adhere to fire safety protocols to prevent further tragedies.
