Widow, 5 Children Killed in Candle-triggered Fire in Burkina Faso Laid to Rest in Anambra Today

ByEditor

Jan 30, 2026 #Anambra burial, #candle fire tragedy, #Catholic Church Ukpo, #Dunukofia LGA, #Nigerian family Burkina Faso, #Ouagadougou fire, #Ukpo Akaezi

Matilda Omonaiye/

A Nigerian widow and her five children who died after a candle-triggered fire razed their home in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, are being buried today in Anambra State.

The victims are Mrs Akubue Uchenna Ngozichukwu, 47, and her children, Justin Onyinyechukwu, 18, Victor-Mary Chidike, 9, Chinenye Joan, 16, Chiemerie Victory, 16, and Chidimma Epiphania, 6.

They died on December 23, 2025 when a fire reportedly caused by a candlestick broke out at their residence in the Burkinabè capital.

The tragedy was confirmed in a Facebook post on Thursday by Anene Blessing Chinenye, a Catholic nun from Awkuzu, Anambra State, who is serving in Ouagadougou.

She said the entire family perished in the blaze, describing the loss as devastating for their relatives, their school community and the Catholic community in Burkina Faso.

Funeral arrangements released by the family indicate that wake-keeping was held on Thursday, January 29.

The bodies left Ray-Sell Memorial Funeral Home, Ukpo, earlier today, Friday, for burial, with a funeral Mass scheduled for 10am at St Simon Catholic Church, Akaezi Ukpo, followed by interment at the husband’s compound.

An outing Mass is slated for Sunday, February 1, at the same church.

The family hails from Akaezi, one of the four villages that make up Ukpo town in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Mourners have continued to pay tribute to the family, with prayers offered for the repose of their souls and for strength for those left behind, particularly the Catholic community in Burkina Faso and their relatives in Nigeria.