Three children die in separate fire incidents in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

Three children have died in two separate fire incidents in Aweil East and Aweil Centre counties over the weekend, according to police authorities.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Police Commissioner Major General Gabriel Guet Paliet said the first incident occurred in Aweil East County, where a six-year-old girl died after a shelter caught fire while she was inside.

He said the child’s mother had left the cooking area to visit a neighbour, leaving the fire unattended and the child behind.

“In the first incident, a six-year-old girl died after a cooking fire spread to a nearby thatched shelter after being left unattended,” he said.

The second incident occurred in Aroyo, Aweil Centre County, where two girls aged four and two died after fire engulfed a thatched shelter where they were sleeping.

Paliet said the fire started when a homeowner was burning dry grass and household rubbish while cleaning the compound. The flames spread to the shelter, trapping the two children.

“In the second incident, two girls aged four and two were trapped and died when fire spread to the shelter where they were sleeping. The fire reportedly started when dry grass and household rubbish were being burned within a residential compound,” he said.

Following the incidents, the police commissioner warned residents against burning dry grass and household waste carelessly in residential areas.

He urged households to separate dry grass from other rubbish and burn waste only in safe, open spaces under close supervision.

Paliet also called on residents to exercise caution when using fire, particularly near thatched houses and shelters, to prevent further loss of lives.