Candlelight Fire Guts Abia Home, Leaves Family of Six Homeless in Umuahia

A family of six has been rendered homeless after a fire, reportedly triggered by a candle, razed their home at Agbama Housing Estate in Umuahia, Abia State.

The incident affected Mr and Mrs Godwin Nwosu and their four children, who lost all their belongings in the blaze. The fire broke out after the children, who had been using a candle to read, reportedly fell asleep while it was still lit.

Speaking in tears, Mrs Nwosu said the family was away from the house when the fire started, leaving no opportunity to salvage any property.

She explained that the candle had been bought to cope with prolonged power outages in the area, adding that she had been using it to study ahead of her Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) examinations.

According to her, the children were reading with the candle before they slept off, unaware of the danger it posed.

Her husband, Mr Godwin Nwosu, a tricycle operator in Umuahia, described the incident as devastating, saying the inferno destroyed everything the family worked for throughout 2025.

“I am now homeless with my family. The fire razed the entire house. We could not salvage anything because my wife and I were not at home when it happened,” he said.

While expressing gratitude that none of their children lost their lives, the couple appealed to the Abia public for temporary accommodation and financial assistance as they struggle to rebuild their lives.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with the use of open flames for lighting in communities grappling with persistent electricity shortages.