By Abba Gwale
At least four family members were burnt to ashes in an early morning inferno on Monday, in the ancient city of Bida local government in Niger state.
The deceased were two wives and grandchildren of the owner of the building that was consumed by the fire.
The name of the two wives were Hajiya Salamatu and Hajiya Jummai Kabaraini and the deceased grandchildren were Hauwa and Khairatu Mahmud kabaraini.
Report comfirmed that the fire started late night on Monday, razed the entire building completely and beside the loss of lives, all valuables including moveable and immovable properties were completely consumed by the fire.
The owner of the building who is said to be a prominent indigene of Bida town, Alhaji Ahmadu Kabaraini is late but the head of the family, Alhaji Sallau Kabaraini told Journalists that the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained.
“Nobody can say the actual cause of the fire. We just saw the fire between 1:30-2am. While some people are saying it was an electrical fault, some said it was as a result of a gas explosion but till now, we the family members cannot say the actual cause,”he said.
The Etsu Nupe, Chairman of the state Council of Traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has sent condolence message to the affected family and asked them to see the incident as an act of God.
Chief of Imam of Bida, Sheik Adamu Yakatun led the funeral prayers as the deceased have been buried according to Islamic rites.