Grief pervaded Ogunseye and Dipo Olubi streets, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos State, on Thursday following the tragic death of a family of five in an overnight fire.

The victims were a couple identified only as Hope (wife) and Hygnius and their three children, Ada, 9, Nonso, 7, and six-year-old Ugochukwu.

While the woman and the children died on the spot, Hygnius, who sustained first degree burns, died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the fire started around 2 am from a makeshift shop on Dipo Olubi Street, where the family resided and spread to three other adjoining shops. Hope also used the shop for laundry service and selling confectionery.

Although the immediate cause of the inferno could not be ascertained, it was said that the sound of an explosion was heard from the family’s shop shortly after electricity was restored in the area.

During a visit to the community, our correspondent saw burnt clothes, washing machine, and refrigerator, among other burnt household items.

The Chairman, Ogunseye Residents Association, Mr. Gbenga Orimolade, said his wife drew his attention to the incident some minutes after 2 am.

Orimolade stated that men of the Lagos State Fire Service and the state emergency management agency joined residents to extinguish the fire around 3 am.

He said, “I came out immediately my wife woke me up. Other residents also came out and we tried to put out the fire.

“Firefighters responded about 20 minutes after the fire started, to assist us. We could not rescue the mother and her children. The husband died in the afternoon at LASUTH.

“I don’t know what caused the fire, but it started 10 minutes after power was restored. The couple were from the East; we have been trying to reach their family.”

An eyewitness, who gave his name only as Chibuzor, said, “The fire was caused by electrical fault. The security men said they heard an explosion from the shop. It was very unfortunate. Hope was energetic and was the one making all the money for the family.”

Another resident, Abiodun Adegoke said he was informed about the incident on the telephone.

Adegoke said, “We could not salvage anything from the wreckage. I saw burnt flesh. I learnt that the couple had initially come out of the shop. The woman went back to save the children but was burnt to death together with them. The husband also attempted to rescue them.

“She was intelligent and responsible. She just paid about N100,000 for the school fees of all the three children. It was very tragic.”

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, who confirmed the deaths, urged residents to promptly alert the fire service whenever there was any fire incident.

“It might be that the laundry machine was faulty. People should make sure that their appliances are put off while going to sleep,” he added.

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Adeshina Tiamiyu, said the agency received a distress call from the community around 2.38am and responded promptly.

He said, “This prompted the immediate activation of the Lagos State Fire Service and LASEMA’s Emergency Response Team to the scene of the incident. An investigation conducted by the ERT at the scene of the incident revealed that the cause of the fire could not be ascertained. Further information revealed that the fire affected four shops.