3 Nigerians die in South African fire disaster

25.07.2008

Five persons, including three Nigerians were confirmed dead in a fire that engulfed a block of flats in Pretoria, South Africa, on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

South Africa police spokesperson, Eugene Opperman, confirmed the deaths, adding that three suspects were expected to be arraigned before a court today for allegedly starting the fire.

He said two of the victims jumped to their death from the 31st floor in an attempt to escape from the fire while the other three, including a toddler, died while trapped in their flats.

The Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union, Mr. Oliver-Khan Chijoke, told NAN that officials of the union had identified the three dead persons to be Nigerians. “The woman, Fadekemi Onasanya, came to South Africa to deliver her baby, Tomi, both of whom were trapped in the stairs and died from the smoke.

“The third victim, Adeola Osunde, was a first year undergraduate at a South African institution,’’ he said.