Malik Yahya/
A pregnant woman and her three daughters were killed in a fire incident on Tuesday night at Red Bricks Quarters, on Maiduguri Road, Damaturu, Yobe State.
The husband and their five-year-old son however managed to survive.
NewsmakersNG learnt that the husband, identified as Adamu Aliyu, threw down the son from the balcony of the two-storey building. He however could not rescue his wife, Halima Umar, and their three daughters before he too jumped to safety.
Damaturu Fire Station Officer, Mr Usman Habu, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said it occurred at about 11pm.
“We were informed about the fire incident at Red Brick’s quarters, Maiduguri Road, Damaturu around 11pm.
“When we arrived at the scene, we learnt that the victims’ father, Malam Adamu Aliyu, had made efforts to rescue his family, but was only able to save his five-year-old son, Faruq Aliyu.
“The fire became too fierce and he could not save the rest of his family members, but he managed to jump out to safety.
“We forced open the door and recovered the woman’s corpse, as well as her three daughters,” Habu said.
He also blamed the deaths on lack of an emergency exit.
He therefore advised prospective tenants and homeowners to always ensure that the property they intended to rent or build had a minimum of two entrances.
“If there was an escape door, the man could have saved his family,’’ the fire station officer said.
He appealed to residents in the state to avoid keeping inflammable items in the home and switch off all electric appliances after the power outage and when not at home.
The three girls were identified as Aisha Aliyu (10), Saadatu Aliyu (8), and Safiya Aliyu (2).
0