The police in Rivers State have launched an investigation into the fire which erupted in a one-room apartment in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday, in which a man and his only son died.

The incident happened at Arochukwu Street in Rumuomasi community of Obio/Akpor council at about 6:30pm.

An eyewitness said the victims, Ugo Sylvester Chigemezu, 38, and his four-year-old son were in their room when a loud sound like an explosion was heard and a huge fire engulfed their room, trapping him and the boy.

They were burnt to death, it was said.

The man’s wife suffered second-degree burns in parts of her body, The Nation learnt.

Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said yesterday that the incident was being investigated. (The Nation: Text, excluding headline)