By JOHN SAKALA
Three boys aged between five years and 15 have been burnt to death at Chichele Fishing Camp in Chief Chiwanangala in Chilubi District after a grass thatched house in which they were sleeping caught fire.
The incident happened on June 16 , 2019 between 22:00 hours and 04:00 hours when the father of one of boys only identified as ‘bashi Arbiton’ aged between 50 and 55 left the fire on after smoking fish and went to sleep.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said the fire later spread and gutted the house in which the boys were sleeping.
Ms Katongo said the boys sustained serious burns and died on the spot while the father survived the inferno with burns and is admitted to Chilubi District Mainland Hospital.
“The boys are Arbiton Mwansa 15, Allan Lishuko 08, Lubuto 5 and their bodies have been buried and graves marked. We have observed an increase in reports of fire incidences during cold seasons compared to other periods of the year. Some of the fires reported as Arson turn out to have been caused as a result of negligence on the part of occupants.
“From 01st June, 2019 to date, we have received 18 fire related cases of which eight (08) were reported as Arson while 10 were reported as fire incidences. We therefore advise members of the public to avoid leaving fire or other electrical appliances such as heaters unattended to especially during this cold time of year to avoid loss of life and property,” she said.
She said in the event of the load shedding being experienced countrywide, the citizens are advised to avoid leaving candles on when going to sleep as they have high potential of causing fire.
