BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – It proved an unforgettable dark Sunday for the family of Muhammad Bashir of Madina Quarters, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, as tragedy came knocking on their doors quite unexpectedly.
And in the process, an early morning fire incident claimed the lives of their two innocent children, leaving the family inconsolable in mourning the irreparable loss.
Family sources gave the names and ages of the dead children as Zainab Bashir Muhammad (Hibba) – seven (7) years old and Ummu Salma Bashir – five (5) years old.
The sources also confirmed that the two kids have already been buried according to Islamic rites.
Available information indicated that the incident occurred at a house close to Barden Gabas Primary School, which is located adjacent to Tirwun Quarters, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis.
According to an eyewitness account, the unfortunate incident occurred around 11:00 am on Sunday when the mother of the two deceased children locked them in the house and went on an errand.
Family insiders hinted that she probably went to purchase some items in a nearby market when the house was engulfed by fire whose cause is yet to be ascertained.
“When we noticed the fire from the house, myself and some neighbours rushed to the house, but our efforts to forcefully open the gate into the house proved abortive”, the eyewitness narrated their experience, adding; “However, we were eventually able to get rid of the door using some carpentry tools and gained entry into the house.
“Unfortunately, by then the fire had completely overwhelmed and engulfed the room where the two children were sheltered. When we entered the house, we tried to force open the room where the children are staying, it was a real fire with heavy dark smoke, making it difficult for us to easily gain entry.”
Also recounting the sad development, another neighbour of the Bashir’s family, Usman Abdullahi, popularly Dan Usmanu, within the area, told newsmen thus; “This thing is already destined by God because it was not the habit of the bereaved mother to always lock-up the children and go on errands.
“Most of the time, whenever she was going out, she used to drop the children in my house, because our houses are closed to each another.
“Her husband, Bashir Muhammad was not at home when the incident occurred. Up to this time I am taking to you, we don’t know the actual cause of the fire incident.”
Meanwhile, some residents of the area have commended personnel of the State Fire Service for doing their best and stopping the fire from spreading to the surrounding houses and structures considering that it is now dry season and things can easily get out of control.
