Seven dead, four-day-old baby survives smoke from generator in Anambra
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that a couple, their two children and others died from suspected fumes from a generator at their residence in Nkwele Ezunaka, near Onitsha.
The Onitsha-based trader, his wife, two children, mother-in-law and a newly arrived apprentice on Wednesday are believed to have died after inhaling toxic fumes from the generator.
It was discovered that the man's wife had just given birth to a baby, and to give the woman a surprise gift, the man quickly arranged for the family to move into their new home.
Sources in the area said it was the family's first night at their new residence, adding that only the four-day-old baby survived.
The source said the incident was reported when a friend who was supposed to join them for the celebration that night, but was unable to meet, went to the deceased's home to find the doors were locked with the generator still on.
However, the Director of St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, where the victims were rushed, Rev. Fr. Izunna Okonkwo, also confirmed that only the newborn was in stable condition when he arrived at the hospital for medical treatment.
Sources said the middle-aged man, identified as Ifeanyi, was from Enugu State and was a trader at Onitsha Bridge Head Market.
He said, "All the family members were at their new mansion celebrating when suddenly there was a power outage. The man had to start the generator placed in the veranda near the bedroom.
"The party continued into the night before they all went to bed and couldn't remember to turn off the generator. The next morning, a friend who was supposed to join them for the celebration but couldn't meet, went to the deceased's house to find the doors were locked with the generator still on.
"After knocking for some time with no response, he alerted other neighbors who forced the door open and saw the dead bodies. Only the four-day-old baby survived.
"The woman and one of the girls were still unconscious when they were rushed to hospital, but efforts to resuscitate them, including placing them on oxygen, were unsuccessful and they were pronounced dead."
However, Anambra State Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development to our correspondent on Friday, said police have yet to disclose the true circumstances surrounding their deaths.
"The matter is still under investigation and details will be released as soon as the investigation is complete," he added.
Please share this story:
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that a couple, their two children and others died from suspected fumes from a generator at their residence in Nkwele Ezunaka, near Onitsha.
The Onitsha-based trader, his wife, two children, mother-in-law and a newly arrived apprentice on Wednesday are believed to have died after inhaling toxic fumes from the generator.
It was discovered that the man's wife had just given birth to a baby, and to give the woman a surprise gift, the man quickly arranged for the family to move into their new home.
Sources in the area said it was the family's first night at their new residence, adding that only the four-day-old baby survived.
The source said the incident was reported when a friend who was supposed to join them for the celebration that night, but was unable to meet, went to the deceased's home to find the doors were locked with the generator still on.
However, the Director of St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, where the victims were rushed, Rev. Fr. Izunna Okonkwo, also confirmed that only the newborn was in stable condition when he arrived at the hospital for medical treatment.
Sources said the middle-aged man, identified as Ifeanyi, was from Enugu State and was a trader at Onitsha Bridge Head Market.
He said, "All the family members were at their new mansion celebrating when suddenly there was a power outage. The man had to start the generator placed in the veranda near the bedroom.
"The party continued into the night before they all went to bed and couldn't remember to turn off the generator. The next morning, a friend who was supposed to join them for the celebration but couldn't meet, went to the deceased's house to find the doors were locked with the generator still on.
"After knocking for some time with no response, he alerted other neighbors who forced the door open and saw the dead bodies. Only the four-day-old baby survived.
"The woman and one of the girls were still unconscious when they were rushed to hospital, but efforts to resuscitate them, including placing them on oxygen, were unsuccessful and they were pronounced dead."
However, Anambra State Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development to our correspondent on Friday, said police have yet to disclose the true circumstances surrounding their deaths.
"The matter is still under investigation and details will be released as soon as the investigation is complete," he added.
Please share this story:
What's Your Reaction?
