A couple identified as Mr and Mrs Francis Ekanem, has lost their two children and home, in Ikot Usen, Ibiono Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, to fire caused by a lit candle in the house.

The couple are bean cake (akara) traders.

They were

said to be outside grinding the beans needed to prepare their product later in the day while their children were asleep in a room where the lit candle was placed.

The candle fell and started a fire but the busy couple were not aware at the initial stage.

Eyewitness say the children cried for help and tried to escape from the house but could not because of the burglary proof.

The parents then rushed to neighbours for help after they were alerted to the fire outbreak.

Sadly, the children were burnt to death before they could be rescued.


Police say it has opened an investigation into the incident.