Tragic, as toddler dies in Kitgum fire incident

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A tragic fire incident claimed the life of a one-and-a-half-year-old toddler in Kitgum district after petrol stored inside a hut caught fire.

Stephen Omara was burnt beyond recognition on Sunday afternoon in Opete East village, Amida subcounty, while his mother, Jennifer Akello, was cooking in the same hut, which also served as their kitchen.

According to reports, a 20-litre jerrycan containing petrol, which had been left uncovered, burst into flames during the cooking process.

Akello is known for selling petrol in small quantities to boda-boda cyclists along the roadside.

David Kilama, the chairperson of Opete East Village, confirmed the incident to Radio Rupiny, explaining that Akello briefly stepped outside and returned to find the hut already engulfed in flames.

The Kitgum District Police Commander, Peter Oyesigye, confirmed that police visited the scene and documented the incident, adding that a case of rash and negligent had been registered by Police.

Meanwhile, Kitgum resident district commissioner Jimmy Ssegawa Ebil described the incident as deeply tragic and warned residents against storing highly flammable substances such as petrol, kerosene, paraffin, and ethanol in rooms used for cooking.