PAKWACH, UGANDA: Residents of Wang-lei A Village in Pakwach Town Council in Pakwach District are in grief two children were burnt to death in a Wednesday morning fire incident.
The regional police confirmed that the early Wednesday morning fire started from a burning candle left by their mother who locals claim had gone to watch movies in the neighbourhood.
According to police, preliminary investigations indicate that the fire broke out when the kids were sleeping under their parents’ grass-thatched house. It is also alleged that the children’s parents were absent at the time of the incident.
An eyewitness who preferred not to be mentioned by name told this reporter that first responders tried to rescue the children in vain because there were no fire extinguishers when the fire started from inside.
Speaking of the incident, the Pakwach Police Community Liaison Officer, Mr Dominic Owinjuru said the hut was accommodating four children.
“The two aged between 1 and 4 couldn’t escape and got burnt inside the house. Others found their way out of the burning hut,” he said.
Wang-Lei A LC1 vice chairperson Nasur Alayi attributed the incident to parental negligence. “Parents should work hard and buy television sets in their homes instead of moving out to go and watch screens in those public places,” he remarked.
He advised parents to be careful especially at night as the festive season draws closer.
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