A late-night fire outbreak has claimed the lives of a woman and her two daughters in Ondo City, Ondo State, leaving the community in deep mourning.
The victims, identified as Mummy Ife and her daughters, Bukola and Ife, were trapped in their residence on Olaiya Rainbow Street in Ondo West Local Government Area when the inferno broke out on Sunday night.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started around 11 p.m., spreading rapidly and consuming the entire building before help could arrive.
A source described the horrifying scene, stating that the victims were burnt beyond recognition. “The fire raged for hours, and all attempts to put it out were unsuccessful,” the source said.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but property worth millions of naira was destroyed in the incident.
The affected building reportedly belongs to Mrs. Saratu Adelakun, a well-known leader and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo West.
Efforts by neighbors to rescue the victims proved futile due to the alleged failure of the state fire service to respond promptly. A witness revealed that when residents called for help, they were told that the fire service lacked water and chemicals to combat the blaze.
“When we contacted them, they claimed there was no water. The officer even switched off his phone afterward,” the witness recounted in frustration.
The charred remains of the victims have since been deposited at the Ondo State General Hospital mortuary.
