Fire kills 25yr-old man

A 25-YEAR-OLD man died in a fire which razed his kunai-thatched roof house in Sinasina-Yongumugl’s Koge in Chimbu on Sunday.
Koge village leader Paul Kaman said Abde Sakito Koma was fast asleep in his house after he was believed to have started a bonfire to keep his home warm all night.
“Unfortunately, the fire spread. His only livestock, a pig that he kept with him in the house was also burnt,” he said.
“Everyone was taking cover from the heavy rain and hailstorm in the night. No one was around to sound the alarm.”
Kaman said with the help of Koge Health Centre and grieving family members and relatives, Koma’s remains were retrieved and buried in the village cemetery.
He said three health workers from the centre assessed the situation and reported to the Chimbu health authority and the police for further investigation.
Chimbu police commander Superintendent Hugo Buape urged villagers to be responsible and avoid doing stupid things.
“The young man should not have died if he had not started the bonfire and gone to sleep,” he said.
“I am urging people to take precautions and be responsible for their own lives.”