Edith CHUKU
The Reverend Samuel Joshua of Assemblies of God Church, Eneka, has expressed sympathy over the pathetic death of a 3-year-old who was roasted when a fire resulting from a melted candle razed down their compound.
It was reported that the tragic incident which happened at Olorunsogo Street, Ejigbo, in Lagos State, destroyed 10 rooms within the compound, property worth millions of naira, as well as the baby simply identified as Michael.
A source who spoke on the grounds of anonymity explained that, “the fire was caused by a candle that was lit, which later melted in one of the rooms. The room caught fire, and it spread to the other 10 rooms in the compound. As a result of the fire, one child named Michael, a three-year-old son of Mr. Ayo got burnt completely. Also, property worth millions of naira got burnt in the inferno.
“A team of police officers, firefighters, Lagos State Ambulance Services and other relevant agencies were present at the scene. The fire was later put out by the firefighters while the Lagos Ambulance Service took away the remains of the boy.
“The houses in the compound burnt totally and the small boy burnt completely. Candles are not advisable to use at all because I wonder how just one candle destroyed millions of naira.”
On his part, the minister who reacted to the incident described it as disheartening, painful, shocking and prayed God to grant the child’s family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Speaking with TNN in an exclusive interview in his office in Port Harcourt, Joshua explained that, “when I read the news, I was both dumbfounded, shocked. In fact, I was moved to tears. I could not control myself.
“I thought of the nine months pregnancy experience, considered labour pain, sleepless nights, cost of feeding that child, nursing and breastfeeding that innocent child and I became speechless.
“I can’t explain it. No human deserves to go through such disheartening experience. Imagine what that innocent baby went through; screaming, calling out the parents helplessly in the fire that showed no mercy.
“I feel very sorry. My sympathy goes to the parents. Yes, they lost their property which can be replaced with money. In fact, if the money is there, in about three months they can build a better house, but, till eternity that very child cannot be replaced and how the child died cannot be forgotten so easily even if they have another child.”
He expressed disappointment on the Electricity Distribution Company. According to him, “even here in Eneka we don’t have steady light. Businesses are dwindling, fuel is very expensive and scarce most times. What then can we do?
“If there was steady power supply will they be using candle? If you say phone, it is only when there is light to power your phone that you can charge and use it and you cannot use phone in the kitchen.”
The Reverend further appealed to parents to, “in all, I want to beg parents not to leave candles on and go to bed, please I beg you in the name of God, don’t, candle can be very dangerous. Infact, when it happens, you cannot even explain it.
“We have to be careful with electrical appliances and candles too. Even those cooking with firewood, don’t just scatter the hot charcoal, use water to put it out, please.
“We parents have to be very careful, check your children in their rooms at least three to five times every night, yes, every night. I will preach it from the pulpit. As God is helping us, we also have to be careful” he said.
Meanwhile, the state Police command has begun investigation into the circumstances leading to the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the incident said everything was under control and that the area was being watched while an investigation was ongoing.
