Two Siblings Locked Inside by Mother Burn to Death in Ondo House Fire

Two siblings, aged five and three, were tragically burned to death in a fire that consumed their apartment in Akure, Ondo State.

The incident occurred in the Oluwatuyi area of Akure on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Eyewitnesses reported that the children, Jelad Oluwaranakinse and Jenson, were allegedly locked inside their home by their mother, Mrs. Deborah Oluwaranakinse, who had stepped out to buy food.

While she was away, a fire broke out, completely destroying the apartment and claiming the lives of the two boys.

“When the fire started, the neighbours around made efforts to put it out and rescue the kids, but their efforts were unsuccessful,” an eyewitness recounted.

“People called the state fire service, but by the time they arrived, things had gone out of hand. The kids had died.”

Despite desperate efforts by neighbors to put out the flames and save the children, the fire was relentless.

The charred remains of the children were later retrieved and taken to the morgue at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure.

Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed the incident on Thursday and stated that investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

“The two male children left in the room were choked and burnt. One is Jelad Oluwaranakinse, aged five, and the second is Jenson Oluwaranakinse, aged three,” the PPRO stated.

“Their mother, one Mrs Deborah Oluwaranakinse, locked the two children inside their room and went out to search for food. An investigation has commenced.”