By Hou Akot Hou
A fire ripped through a grass-thatched tukul in Majok-Yithiou, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Wednesday, killing an elderly man and three children.
The incident shocked the town near the border with Sudan.
The victims were identified as Kuol Kawach, a visually impaired man, and three children he was caring for.
Lual Lual, a resident, and eyewitness who rushed to the scene told No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper by phone that Kawach was being taken care of by a six-year-old boy when the fire broke out.
“He was left with other children, a 4-year-old and a baby, while seated under the tukul,” he narrated.
The children’s mother “went to the nutrition center” to collect food for the malnourished baby, Lual explained.
Tragedy struck when “the children went to find more fire from a neighbour,” Lual said. “Smoke was coming from the house by the time they returned. People rushed back, but only found the old man and three children burned to death.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. And Lual said, “Residents are wondering where the children found the fire that burned the house.”
The victims were buried on Thursday. According to witnesses, the mother’s “wailing could be heard throughout the town.
This fire is one of many this year, raising concerns about fire safety.
“Shop owners and residents are dumbfounded by the destruction. Lual said, “These fires are mainly blamed on carelessness and lack of fire extinguishers.”