A fire incident killed six family members in the early hours of Monday in Ede, Osun State. The victims were identified as a Customs officer, Tijani Kabiru, attached to the Oyo/Osun Command, his wife, and four children.

The fire reportedly started around 2 am at the family’s residence in the Olowopoku area of Ede.

It was gathered that Kabiru, who was in his late 40s, was asleep alongside his wife and five children when the fire, believed to have originated from the solar panel installed on the roof of the house, engulfed the building.

“The fire started around 2:09 am from the roof of the house. An electric spark from the solar panel attached to the roof caused the fire.

“One of the children, a 13-year-old, was reading when the fire started. He ran to his father’s room and realised that his father and other family members were weak due to the emission of smoke. He ran out of the house to call for help. It was difficult for residents of the house to access the house due to the security of the house, like electric barbed wires and strong doors, among others.

“We informed the Fire Service men around 3:10 am. But before they arrived at the scene, Tijani, his wife, and four children were burnt to death,” a source disclosed.

The Public Relations Officer of Osun State Fire Service, Dekunle Ibraheem, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

“It is true that one Tijani, a Customs officer, his wife and four children were burnt to death. Only one of them escaped the scene. Their bodies were handed over to the men of A Division of the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

Early morning fire kills Customs officer, wife, four children in Osun