A former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to ex-Plateau State Governor Fidelis Tapgun, Anthony Kwame, his son; Emmanuel, and daughters; Theresa and Kerry, died in a fire, which gutted their home in Jenta-Adamu, Jos, the Plateau State capital, yesterday.
However, his wife and one of his children were lucky, as they escaped with burns.
An eyewitness said the fire started after an electric spark from a meter in the house.
He said,
“The meter was mounted at the entrance to the building. There was a spark from the meter which started the fire. Because the meter was at the entrance, the fire prevented them from escaping. It quickly spread to other rooms in the house.”
PUNCH gathered that Kwanmi and his children went to bed and locked their doors at about 2.30am after watching a football match between Nigeria and Sweden in the ongoing Olympics Competition in Rio, Brazil.
However, neighbours were woken up by the cries for help from the children, who were sleeping in a room close to their father’s.
Kwanmi reportedly made spirited efforts to open the door and free himself and the children, but the thick smoke billowing from the fire prevented him.It was learnt that their charred remains were removed by neighbours, who had to break down the walls of the house to gain entry.
PUNCH Metro saw a blanket, which the retired cop reportedly used to cover his nose while attempting to rescue his children.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Tyopev Terna, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The ‘A’ Division of the state police command got a call around 3am on Monday and we responded to the distress call. Officials of the state fire service were also mobilised to the burning building; they assisted in putting out the fire.
“The retired police officer and three of his children lost their lives, while his wife and one family member are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.”
While going to press, PUNCH Metro learnt that the fourth child of the retired ASP, had also died.
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