2 kids die in fire after blackout

Two kids, Princewill and Daniella, aged three and nine, respectively, died on Friday, December 11, 2015, in Limbe as they tried to light their way into their kitchen after a power outage.

Without prior notification, ENOE, Cameroon’s electricity utility, had at about 8:00 pm cut off power, plunging the entire town in darkness.

Princewill and his two elder siblings had lit a candle to find their way into the kitchen and heat up some food for supper.

Unfortunately for the kids whose parents were absent from home, the candle flame suddenly turned into an inferno and engulfed all of them.

Neighbours suspect that the candle flame must have come into contact with cooking gas that had leaked from the gas cylinder, and before the neighbours could reach them, the kids had already suffered heavy burns.

Princewill is said to have died in the fire while Daniella died later at the hospital.

As at Saturday, December 12, 2015, their elder brother aged 12 was still receiving medical attention.

Power outages have become a common phenomenon of recent without any explanation from ENOE, Cameroon’s supplier of electricity.

Meanwhile, it is wise to always close tightly gas cylinders after every usage in order to prevent fire outbreaks.

Children, too, must be warned of the dangers of lighting up candle or lamp fires inside kitchens equipped with gas bottles.