Tragedy struck last night (Wednesday, August 7) at Isi Obehie, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, as six members of a family resident in the community perished overnight, reportedly from the generator fumes they inhaled throughout the night as they slept with their power generating set on while the windows of their apartment were all open.
It was gathered that the family members, while going to bed last night, had left their generator on, behind their building, while its windows were open thereby creating an easy avenue for fumes from the generator to sip into the rooms and be inhaled by the victims while they slept, unaware of the danger – and death – that lurked around in wait for their departing souls.
Sources said it was when neighbours woke up early this morning that they discovered that six members of the household residing on Ofoji Street in Obehie had perished, including the madam of the house, all her three children, her sister and brother-in-law, leaving only her husband and the father of the children, who was said to be away from the house when the incident happened, as the only survivor.
The man was said to be away when the incident happened.
Neighbours said five of the family members died on the spot, while the younger sister to the madam of the house and mother of the three children, who was found unconscious at the time neighbours became aware of the unfortunate incident, was said to have later died in the hospital on Thursday (today, August 8).
Although the names of the victims could not be immediately ascertained, they were said to have hailed from Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the State, but resident in the community.
Abia command Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka confirmed the incident, disclosing that investigation to ascertain the true cause of their death had begun.
