Fire Guts Home of 80-Year-Old Man in Imo as Family Dispute Deepens Mystery

Shock and confusion have gripped Umueze community in Orogwe, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, after a mysterious fire outbreak destroyed the home of an elderly man, leaving him homeless.

The incident, which occurred on a Monday residents say they will not forget in a hurry, involved a seven-room building owned by Mr Cyril Duruekeugbala, an indigent man in his late eighties.

According to community sources, the fire reportedly started from one of the rooms in the building. An indigene of Umueze, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a youth—believed to be a member of Mr Duruekeugbala’s extended family—was boiling yams with a gas cooker shortly before the fire broke out.

Tense Family Relations Before the Fire

Mr Duruekeugbala, who is childless and has no wife, has been living in the house with the family of his late brother—his brother’s widow, Mrs Maritha, and her four sons.

Investigations revealed that relations between the elderly man and his late brother’s family had been strained for some time. Mr Duruekeugbala was said to have repeatedly asked them to vacate the building so he could rent out the rooms and earn income for his upkeep, having no one to care for him.

Community members allege that the request created deep resentment, further worsening an already fragile family relationship.

Police Arrest and Release

Following the incident, Mr Duruekeugbala was accused by some parties of being responsible for the fire. He was arrested and taken to the Ogbaku Police Division for questioning.

However, police later released the elderly man, citing lack of evidence. An eyewitness at the station said officers found no basis to detain him.

One police officer was quoted as saying, “Even if this man na mad man, him no go get mind burn him house. I beg, baba dey go jare.”

Elderly Man Left Homeless

The fire has left Mr Duruekeugbala without shelter and means of survival. Residents say the old man is now struggling to cope with the loss, as the building was his only asset.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire remains unconfirmed, while the community continues to debate the circumstances surrounding the inferno.