Eight Die in Fire at Former Minister’s House

Eight people were killed in a fire at the Abuja residence of the former Minister of State for Education Hajiya Bintu Ibrahim Musa. Among the deceased were the minister’s two daughters and two grandchildren.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Federal Fire Service Mr. Obisesan Biodun, said eight persons lost their lives while three others were rescued and taken to the hospital.

“We received information from One Mr. Yusuf of a fire outbreak at a residential building,” he said, “and before we got there barely 30 minutes after fire had gutted the building and a lot of damage had been done.”

A survivor, Ms Jamila Kasimu told newsmen that the deceased and many others were asleep in the house in Area 8, Garki when the fire started at about midnight and engulfed the building. The deceased, she added were choked to death by fume from the fire.

She said many relatives and friends of the family were in the house because of the wedding of one of Hajiya Bintu’s daughters held at the weekend.

The former minister, who sustained severe skin burns in the fire is currently recovering at a private clinic in Abuja.