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Edo hotel fire claims three lives, suspects arrested – Police
Next Stay Exploring Ba Vi’s Dragon Fruit Garden [NếmTV] 40 42 00:00 00:00 / 00:00 10 Sec Published By: Paul Dada
By Jethro Ibileke
An unspecified number of persons have been arrested in connection with a fire incident that occurred in a hotel in Benin City, Edo State, in which three lives were lost.
The tragic incident occurred at about 4am on Sunday, 23 June, 2024, on the first floor of Cibeles Luxury Hotel, located at 9, Emoavwodua Street, off Limit Road, off Sapele Road.
The Edo State Police Command spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident and the arrest of suspects, gave the names of the victims as Bright Amechi, Michael Awowea and Cynthia Ogiugo.
He explained further that the victims who were guests at the hotel and were sleeping in their rooms when the fire incident occurred.
He said: “The DPO contacted the Edo State Fire Service, they came and extinguished the fire, three persons were unconscious as a result of the suffocation from the smoke of the fire.
“They were immediately rushed to Edo State Specialist, Sapele road, Benin City and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where one Bright Amechi and Michael Awowe, were confirmed dead.
“While at Edo State Specialist Hospital, one Cynthia Oguigo was confirmed dead. The bodies were conveyed to Stella Obasanjo Hospital mortuary in Benin City.
“The statement of the supervisor on duty as at the time of incident one Emmanuel Ogunyemi, pointed at the lodger of one of the rooms at first floor where the fire outbreak occurred.
“The lodger of the said room, one Andrew Roberts of Sapele road, Benin City was contacted and his statement taken. He said in his statement that the fire was caused by electrical fault from the air conditioner in his room.
“According to the DPO, some persons have been arrested and investigation will unravel their culpability or innocence,” Nwabuzor added.
Meanwhile, the management of the hotel has reportedly taken the responsibility for the tragedy and has reached an agreement with the families of the victims to shoulder the full burial expenses.
Although efforts to obtain comments from the management of the hotel failed as at press time, a source who craved anonymity further confirmed that the hotel management also agreed to purchase a landed property for the internment of the female victim, Cynthia Oguigo.
