Douala Couple Dies in Fire Accident

Their 18-year-old daughter is still in agony in a local hospital. Two people died over the week-end after being seriously charred by gas flames in their home in Ngangue, Douala.

The gas cooker which their 18-year daughter lighted was reportedly leaking. Fire engulfed the room in which they lived on Friday, September 6, 2013. The victims; husband and wife, died at the Douala Military Hospital. The wife died on Saturday while the husband died on Sunday.

Witnesses at the scene say the mother and daughter were trapped inside the burning home while the father of the house, N.E., fled outside though with flames flaring from the clothes he put on. Neighbouring occupants, quickly joined by other neighbourhood inhabitants, put off the fire on the man and in the home with mud from the banks of the little Ngangue brook around the Fatima Hotel. Neighbours to the family say the fire was first reported at about 8am but was soon stopped due to timely intervention.

The Ngono household sustained third degree injuries including burns or smoke inhalation within the room they used as bedroom and kitchen. The daughter still lies in agony at the Military Hospital. The fire razed all properties in the room but was quickly stopped before it crossed over to other rooms.