6 corpses burnt beyond recognition as fire guts Benue mortuary

Corpses have been burnt beyond recognition after fire gutted a private mortuary in Agagbe community of Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Police confirmed that six corpses were burnt in the inferno.

Witnesses said the fire occurred about 6 pm on Friday and raged until all the deposited dead bodies in the morgue burnt beyond recognition.

It was learnt that the mortuary is owned by a religious body, the St Francis Xavier Parish, Agagbe in Gwer West LGA.

Some witnesses said the cause of the fire wasn’t known, while others alleged it could have been mischief from some people in the vicinity.

The witnesses also said that the relatives of the corpses kept at the morgue ran helter-skelter in vain in an attempt to put off the fire but to no avail.

Although the Director of State Fire Service, Engr. Donald Ikyaaza told our correspondent that he wasn’t aware of the incident. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.

Anene said that six corpses were burnt in the fire, adding, that the DPO in charge of the area was present at the site at the time of this report to ascertain further details.

(Daily Trust)