Fire burns 6-yr-old girl to death in Bayelsa

    A six-year-old girl was reportedly burnt to death in a Christmas eve fire incident at the Swali suburb of Yenagoa,  Bayelsa State.

    It was learnt that two brothers of the deceased also suffered first degree burn and are receiving treatment in a private hospital in the state capital.The fire, which occurred at about 9pm on Christmas eve, it was learnt, consumed a popular slum known as “Batcha” estate in the area leaving the residents homeless.One of the victims of the inferno whose home was affected, Famous Egboje, said the fire was triggered by the mother of the deceased who reportedly lit a candle, put it on the carpeted floor and went out while her three children were sleeping.According to him, before neighbors noticed the fire, it was already too late and that it took the bravery of a sympathizer who broke into the building to rescue two kids.He said though the fire service came early enough, there was little they could do due to the haphazard nature of the area and shortage of water.