Fire kills four in Yobe settlement, leaves family homeless

Four family members lost their lives in a fire that destroyed the Rugar Audu Badali settlement in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The fire broke out around 5pm on Friday. The victims were identified as Bilkisu, the wife of Mallam Bukar, and her three children, Zainab, Hafsat, and Salamatu.

They were buried according to Islamic rites. The fire left the surviving family members without a home, as it destroyed their house and personal belongings.

On Saturday, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) released a statement. They went to the affected community to assess the damage and offer condolences. They worked with representatives from the Karasuwa Local Government Authority and community leaders.

The SEMA team visited the site to see the extent of the destruction. They spoke to the grieving family and other residents to understand their immediate needs for help and emotional support.

During the visit, the agency, along with the Karasuwa LG leadership and community members, expressed their sympathy to Mallam Bukar and his relatives. They also reached out to the people of the local government area over this tragic loss.

"We extend our profound condolences to Mallam Bukar, his surviving relatives, and the entire people of Karasuwa Local Government Area over this irreparable loss," the agency stated.

SEMA prayed for the souls of the deceased, asking Allah to forgive their mistakes, grant them a place in Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and give the bereaved family strength to cope with their loss.

The agency’s assessment showed a pressing need for emergency relief support, temporary shelter, and mental health assistance for the displaced family members.

SEMA said it would lead efforts to provide humanitarian aid and gather resources to help those affected by the fire.

"SEMA has confirmed the urgent need for emergency relief support, temporary shelter, and psychosocial assistance for the displaced survivors," the agency mentioned.

They also called for a collective effort to stop similar incidents from happening again in communities across Yobe State.

The PUNCH online reported that the surviving family members were left without shelter after the fire destroyed their home and belongings.

The agency added, "We remain firmly committed to coordinating timely humanitarian interventions and mobilising the necessary resources to alleviate the suffering of those affected."

Yobe SEMA also prayed for the continued safety of residents and lasting relief for everyone impacted by this incident.