A devastating house fire in Okuazaku Cell, Arivu Ward, Ayivu East Division, Arua City, resulted in the tragic death of a young couple, 20-year-old Lillian Anguezaru Fungaro and her 30-year-old husband Emmanuel Adima.
The incident occurred on January 23, at 11:30 pm, as the couple was about to sleep. Despite efforts by locals to control the fire, it escalated due to petrol stored in the house, making rescue attempts futile.
“When the fire crew rushed to the scene to save the situation, they found that the fire was in a residential house and had already burnt his wife to death,” said Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Regional Police Public Relations Officer. Lillian Anguezaru Fungaro had been burnt beyond recognition, and Emmanuel Adima, left in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries the following evening.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Adima was involved in the illegal trade of fuel from the neighboring DR Congo. The fire was triggered when he lit a matchbox near the stored fuel containers.
Authorities have warned against the dangerous practice of smuggling fuel from DR Congo, emphasizing the need for proper storage to prevent such tragic incidents.
