62-year-old dies in fire incident in Douala

The illicit sale of fuel by occupants of the buildings is suspected to be the main cause of the outbreak.

Inhabitants of Carrefour Agip, Douala, near the lone petroleum depot in the area, are still in shock after fire on Saturday May 23, 2015, ravaged two buildings, killing 62-year-old Delphine Nguengou. She got stuck in the fire while trying to save her two grand-children, not knowing that they had already rushed out.

According to eye witnesses, the fire, which started at about 9 am, destroyed a plank building and crossed over to a one-storey building, partly constructed with wood, as well caused lesser damage to a third building.

When the fire broke out, the two grand-children forced their way out, with one sustaining burns on the leg.

After the inferno was put out by the Fire Fighting Brigade, three stainless steel containers of 200 litres each and 10 containers of 20 litres each, with some containing fuel, were found in the house.

It is possible that the illicit sale and storage of fuel in the house was the cause of the fire outbreak. Debris of refrigerator, stainless steel dishes, dresses and wood greeted curious passersby who stopped over to express their condolences to the bereaved family.

Three days ago, a six-room building was reduced to ashes in the same area after an explosion of illicit fuel stocked in the house.