Generator fumes kill mother, four children in Bayelsa

Fumes from a generator have killed one Mrs. Chinyere Celestine, and four of her children in their home, off Goodnews Street, Azikoro suburbs of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The victims were said to have died in their sleep on Tuesday night while the generator was working.

The father of the children and husband of Chinyere, identified as Celestine, was said to be in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when the tragedy occurred.

It was learnt that Celestine’s inability to get through to his wife on the telephone on Wednesday morning aroused his curiosity and prompted him to call a neighbour.

After several attempts to wake the victims from sleep, the neighbour was said to have raised the alarm that compelled other neighbours to force the door open and discover the victim’s lifeless bodies.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Chinyere and the four children were confirmed dead at the hospital but two of the children were resuscitated by medical personnel. The bodies of the dead victims had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.”

Our correspondent observed that many residents of the state had been relying solely on generators after the state was thrown into darkness three weeks ago following damaged transmission lines of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

The transmission lines at Obunagha, Yenagoa, that supply electricity to the state were said to have been destroyed by a storm.

Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Police Command, Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the death of Chinyere and the four children.



-- Punch