A late night fire in Rivers State has k!lled two siblings and destroyed several makeshift homes.
Residents say many families lost everything as emergency responders struggled to contain the blaze.
Two siblings, aged nine and five, have d!ed after a late night fire gutted a cluster of makeshift homes at the Rumuola axis of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State. The incident happened on Sunday, November 16, 2025, leaving many families devastated and homeless.
According to reports, the fire began in one of the rooms of a temporary structure where a mother had locked her four children before stepping out to buy food items. Witnesses said two of the children were asleep while the older ones were awake when the fire started around 10 pm.
An eyewitness clarified that the incident did not happen inside Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, as earlier claimed on social media. He explained that the fire broke out behind the school, where several makeshift rooms sheltered more than 27 families. He described the scene as heartbreaking, noting that the structures were completely destroyed and many residents lost everything.
Another eyewitness, identified simply as Meg, said the fire began from the room of the woman who lost her two children. He explained that she had left a stove burning before locking the door and going out. By the time she returned, the flames had already spread through the structures. The two older children attempted to rescue their younger siblings but were forced out by the intense heat. The younger ones did not survive.
Meg added that the older siblings shouted for help and banged on the door before eventually finding a way to escape. Their younger siblings, aged six and eight according to residents, were burnt beyond recognition.
Neighbors and passers-by who noticed the thick smoke contacted the fire service. Firefighters eventually arrived and were able to stop the flames from spreading further, but not before several families lost their homes and belongings.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the incident and the deaths. She said the children were nine and five years old and noted that an investigation has begun to determine the exact cause of the fire. The mother has been invited for questioning.
