A young girl was tragically killed in a house fire that erupted in the Samakinwa community of Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area in Ondo State.
The victim, a nine-year-old girl named Testimony, was at home alone in a locked room when flames engulfed the residence around 4 p.m. on Monday.
Neighbours said the child, who had a mental condition, was left behind by her guardian, who had gone to attend a church service.
Residents believe the fire began due to an electrical surge, quickly consuming the four-bedroom apartment and destroying belongings in its path.
Desperate attempts to save the girl failed, as rescuers couldn’t break through the locked room in time.
Eventually, bystanders managed to force their way in, only to find that the girl had been burned beyond recognition.
Her charred body was retrieved and placed within the compound, where distraught family members and neighbours gathered in shock and sorrow over the tragedy.