By 
Four members of the same family have tragically died after their home in Lusaka’s Mandevu Compound was consumed by fire, with the bodies found burned beyond recognition.
The Zambia Police Service has classified the incident as sudden and unnatural.
The fire, which occurred on the night of January 3, 2025, was reported to the Chaisa Police Post around 2:20 AM by Grace Nyirenda, aged 35, from house number B320, Mandevu Compound.
The deceased have been identified as:
Iled Phiri, aged 67 – Grandmother and homeowner.
Eunice Ngoma, aged 23 – Granddaughter.
Ireen Tembo, aged 34 – Granddaughter.
Blessings Mpalo, aged 17 – Granddaughter.
According to Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, the fire is believed to have been triggered by a candle left burning in the house following a power outage.
Hamoonga’s statement indicated that Iled Phiri, the grandmother, retired to bed around 7:00 PM, leaving the door unlocked and a candle lit.
Her three grandchildren had gone out to drink at Waleta Bar in Chaisa but returned around midnight, intoxicated.
It is reported that they failed to extinguish the candle before going to sleep.
At approximately 1:30 AM, the fire is suspected to have started from the candle, quickly engulfing the house.
Neighbors, noticing smoke, alerted residents and the authorities, and the Fire Brigade responded promptly.
However, by the time they managed to extinguish the flames, all four family members had been fatally injured.
Police discovered the bodies, which were burned beyond recognition. The remains have been transported to the University Teaching Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations.
An inquiry has been opened, and investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the fire.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments