A tragic fire outbreak occurred earlier today in the Abakpa area of Enugu State, claiming the lives of five family members. The fire, which began around 2:30 p.m., rapidly engulfed a two-story residential building, trapping the victims inside.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire was ignited by an electrical fault in one of the apartments. Despite the efforts of neighbors who tried to contain the flames with water and fire extinguishers, the fire spread too quickly. “The flames were too intense. We couldn’t do much to save them,” said a heartbroken neighbor.

When the Enugu State Fire Service arrived, the building had already been severely damaged. After hours of battling the fire, they were able to extinguish it, but the lives of two children and three adults were tragically lost. Their bodies were retrieved from the debris and transferred to a nearby morgue.

The incident has left the community devastated, with residents calling for improved safety measures and regular electrical maintenance to prevent such occurrences. “This tragedy could have been avoided. We need more awareness on fire safety in our homes,” one resident expressed.

Authorities have sealed off the area and initiated an investigation into the exact cause of the fire. Meanwhile, families in the vicinity are urged to inspect their electrical systems and follow fire safety guidelines to prevent future disasters.

This heartbreaking event emphasizes the need for increased fire safety awareness and vigilance, especially in densely populated areas like Abakpa.