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A grieving family in Kundila, Layin Baba Impossible, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, has disputed claims that a mosquito coil triggered the fire that claimed four lives early Wednesday morning.
The Kano State Fire Service had earlier reported that preliminary investigations pointed to a mosquito coil lit in the parlour before the victims went to bed. The blaze, which broke out around 4 a.m., killed a father, mother, and two young children.
In a statement, the agency’s spokesperson, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, identified the victims as Shodandi (43), his wife, Rafi’a (30), and their daughters, three-year-old Mardiya and one-year-six-month-old Yusira. A fifth occupant, 12-year-old Aminu Shodandi, was rescued alive.
Abdullahi extended condolences to the bereaved family and urged residents to exercise caution with fire sources, particularly during the harmattan season.
However, in an interview with journalists on Friday, the lone survivor, now identified as 14-year-old Aminu Shodeinde, insisted the fire was not caused by a mosquito coil.
Aminu, a nephew of the late Rafi’a, said he woke up to frantic screams shortly after 3 a.m. as the family struggled to locate the keys to the door. He said the fire spread rapidly, forcing the father to run back into the burning house in a desperate attempt to save the children. He did not make it out.
“We often use mosquito coils in the house, but it was not what caused this fire,” the teenager said.
His account was supported by his grandfather, Abdulraheem Abdulsalam, father of the late Rafi’a, who suggested possible foul play. Abdulsalam said the family had experienced three previous burglary attempts, and suspects arrested in earlier incidents were released after three days.
Read also: Family of four dies in early-morning fire incident in Kano
“People are saying it was a mosquito coil, but what I saw was different. They sprayed the house with petrol and set it on fire,” he alleged.
Visibly distraught, Abdulsalam said the victims were found burnt while holding onto one another and were buried in the same position.
Despite the suspicions and community concerns, he said he would not push for further investigation, leaving the matter to divine judgment.
“If it was people that did this, they will not escape God’s judgment,” one community member, who asked not to be named, said.
