A three-year-old boy has succumbed to the burns he sustained after being burnt in a blaze in Gulu City. Police have identified the deceased as Amos Ogenrwot, a resident of Kirombe cell in Bardege Layibi Division.
According to Police reports, the minor sustained severe burns after their house caught fire at about 5 PM on Wednesday evening. He was reportedly in the house with his 3-year-old brother Daniel Elias Rwotwero who was equally severely burnt.
Ogenrwot reportedly succumbed to his injuries at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor where he was rushed for medical treatment while Rwotwero is still fighting for his life. According to Wilfred Okwera, who reported the incident at Gulu Central Police Station, the fire was ignited by a man only identified as Daniel while lighting up a charcoal stove.
Okwera told Police that the suspect opted to use a highly flammable sanitizer to light the charcoal stove but on lighting the matchbox, it burst into a huge flame before spreading to neighboring buildings.
The Aswa River Region West Police Spokesperson David Ongom Mudong confirmed the incident, saying that police are hunting for the suspect who is still at large. Mudong cautioned locals against using highly flammable materials for lighting charcoal stoves arguing that they pose a danger to lives and properties.
He also called on the family of the deceased to remain calm as Police hunt down the suspect to face prosecution.
