A night fire incident around old Mangu market of Mangu local government area of Plateau state has claimed the lives of six siblings.

According to a spokesperson of the Malam Sanusi Maifaci’s family in the area, the deceased were between the ages of four months and 12 years.

Narrating the incident, an uncle of the victims, Umar Basbangida Aliyu, said the fire incident started around 2am on Thursday.

Aliyu explained that the deceased’s mother was badly injured and currently receiving treatment at Allah Nakowa Hospital in Mangu town.

Aliyu said, “The mother and her nine children were watching TV up to 11pm and the three males among them went to sleep and left the mother and the six children.

“We cannot categorically say the cause of the incident but all we know is there was electricity before they went to bed. Around 2:30am, we were called that fire had engulfed the house. The mother tried all she could to bring her children out of the room but couldn’t. That was why she sustained wounds,” he said.

According to the deceased’s uncle, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Mangu LGA chairman have visited the affected family and urged them to take solace from the tragedy, adding that the governor had promised to support the family to rebuild the house.

“The governor and our LG chairman have visited us to offer their condolences. We are grateful to all those who came to the family’s rescue during the incident. During the fire outbreak, we have seen love from both Muslims and Christians who trooped in their numbers to help rescue the victims,” Aliyu said.

Our correspondent reports that the incident has thrown members of the community into mourning, with many sympathisers trooping to the victim’s family to offer their condolences. (Daily Trust)