Police probe death of two siblings in Ondo inferno

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Police Command has launched an investigation into a tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of two young children in Ode-Aye, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Disclosing the incident via a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, revealed that the incident occurred on March 18, 2026, at No. 1 Olaribigbe Street, Zion Area, Ode-Aye.

According to the police, the victims, Queen Ohwo, aged six, and her four-year-old sister, Everlyne Ohwo, were burnt to death in the inferno, which engulfed their family residence.

The command noted that its operatives promptly visited the scene, carried out necessary documentation, and evacuated the remains of the deceased to a health facility in the community.

Preliminary findings by the police further indicated that the fire might have been caused by negligence during cooking, although authorities stressed that a comprehensive investigation is still ongoing to determine the exact cause.

Reacting to the issue, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, directed the divisional police officer in Ode-Aye to secure the scene, obtain statements from witnesses, and work with the Federal Fire Service to establish the origin and extent of the blaze.

While consoling the bereaved, the command urged residents to exercise caution when handling cooking appliances and other fire sources to prevent avoidable disasters.

The police also advised the public against leaving cooking unattended, especially around children, while calling for improved awareness of basic fire safety measures in homes.