Tragedy struck in Gbaramatu… as Kerosene explosion kills 73yrs widow in Okerenkoko

By Ebi Perekeme

It was a tale of tears and sorrow as a 73-year-old widow, Hannah Teacher, of Okerenkoko town in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday, died from kerosene explosion.

The incident, it was gathered, happened around 9pm on Thursday (March 19, 2021) in her building, throwing the entire community and family into mourning mood.

The kerosene, suspected to have been adulterated, was being poured into a lantern when it exploded and flames engulfed her entire room.

Narrating with tears and sorrows the ordeal to GbaramatuVoice, her son, Ebimaye Itila, said that it was his mother’s cry for help that attracted his wife, neighbours and other good Samaritans, who fought hard to put out the fire on her body. But she had reportedly suffered severe burns.

According to him, they rushed her to Warri for medical attention, before she was taken to a clinic, where she died on Friday.

He said it was a very horrible experience to see his mother ablaze.

A resident of the community disclosed to GbaramatuVoice that the explosion was caused by adulterated kerosene, which is in circulation in the area.

He alleged that the kerosene might have been adulterated, and appealed to government agencies to stop illegal bunkering, which he said encouraged dealers to mix all types of things with kerosene.