A Nigerian mother has lost her two children and grandparents after she jumped down from their house leaving her family to burn in a fire outbreak which engulfed their home in Maryland, USA.
Nigerian twin toddlers and their grandparents has been reported dead on Tuesday after a house caught fire overnight in Chillum, Maryland, USA. The twins’ mother jumped from a second-floor window and is expected to survive her injuries.
Prince George’s County officials said that the 2-years old toddlers, Anna and Israel Omijie, were both killed, and their grandparents, Carolyn Omogbo, 55 and Sampson Omogbo, 63, also died after they were trapped inside a separate room as investigators found no evidence the rental home had working smoke detectors.
Prince George’s County firefighters were called just after 2 a.m. to the 6700 block of Knollbrook Drive, where a total of seven people were when the blaze erupted. “The wind was blowing and the fire was just out of control. I saw the little kids being carried out in an ambulance. I knew something bad had happened because the ambulance just left quietly,” neighbor, Edmund Romero said.
Prince George’s County Fire Chief, Marc Bashoor said the twins were pulled from the home almost immediately and taken to a children’s hospital, where they died.
The toddlers’ grandparents were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two family members home at the time of the fire escaped safely. “We did the very best we could to get inside to get those people out,” fire department spokesman Mark Brady said.
The tragedy shocked the Nigerian family’s close circle of friends. “When I heard the [family’s name] I just jumped into my car to come and confirm if it was the same address that I knew,” family friend, Festus Soho said.
“I don’t know what to think of this. I cannot believe it,” family friend, Adele Benjamin said through tears.
The twins’ mother was too distraught to speak on camera on Tuesday evening. Her uncle, Vincent Omogbo said he was stunned. “It’s like a dream. I don’t believe. My brother was very nice to everybody. He goes to church and he is very godly.”
The fire appears to have been accidental and is under investigation, officials said.
Samson Omogbo came to the United States at least 15 years ago from Nigeria after winning a green-card lottery, according to friends and his church pastor. He started a furniture-restoration business and was able to bring his wife and seven children – three sons and four daughters to the United States shortly after his arrival.
