On Monday, In Ikot Ekpo community, Calabar, Cross River State, a family of four has been killed by kerosene explosion.
Esuabana Thomas, 45, two of his children [ Esua Thomas, 14; and Edet Thomas, 12] and an in-law identified as Mathias were killed by the explosion. The kerosene was reported to be adulterated and exploded when it was been poured into a lantern.
Confirming the incident is Efiom Efanga, the landlord who said:
“I got a call around 10pm that there was a fire incident in my house, so I rushed down there. By the time I got there, the neighbours had succeeded in putting out the fire. But they did not know that people had been burnt inside because it seemed there were no screams.
“It was after the fire was extinguished that we discovered three persons inside who were already dead. Another victim, who was also fatally burnt, was rushed to hospital, but he gave up the ghost on the way and his dead body was brought back. The only survivor among the children is the daughter. I met her in a church close to my compound, very frightened.
“She told me that the mum asked the elder brother to refuel the lantern, but the boy refused and went inside. After some minutes, the mum decided to send her to refuel the lantern; as soon as she poured the kerosene into the already lit but dim lantern, there was an explosion. She said she threw the lantern away and ran out. She said the mother was outside to urinate when the explosion occurred.”
Also confirming the incident is DSP Irene Ugbo, state Police Public Relations Officer who added that investigation is still ongoing.
