Abia Family of Six Left Homeless After Candle Fire

A family in Abia State is now starting from nothing after a candlelight fire destroyed their home, leaving six people without shelter or belongings.

The Abia candle fire incident occurred at Agbama Housing Estate in Umuahia, where Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Nwosu and their four children lost their home to a fire outbreak believed to have started from a candle.

According to accounts from the family, the fire broke out after the children reportedly fell asleep while reading by candlelight.

Mrs. Nwosu explained that persistent power outages in the area forced her to purchase candles so she could study for her upcoming Nigeria Certificate in Education examinations. On the night of the incident, the children had lit the candle to read before going to bed.

She said neither parent was at home when the fire started.

By the time help arrived, the house and everything inside it had already been consumed by the flames.

The family reportedly lost all their belongings, including clothing, household items, and personal documents.

Speaking emotionally, Mr. Godwin Nwosu, a tricycle operator in Umuahia, said the fire wiped out everything the family had worked for this year.

“I am now homeless with my family. The fire razed the entire house. We could not salvage anything because my wife and I were not at home when it happened,” he said.

Despite the loss, the Abia couple expressed gratitude that their four children survived the fire without injuries.

They are now appealing to the Abia community and well-meaning Nigerians for:

• Financial assistance

• Temporary accommodation

• Basic household support