Mrs. Chigozie Onuobu, a mother, and her three children died in a fire in Ebonyi State, where they lived.
The catastrophe occurred on Tuesday in the state’s Aguabata Echara, Ikwo Local Government Area.
According to reports, the fire started in the middle of the night, while the woman and her children were asleep in their thatched house.
The cause of the fire was unknown at the time of the report’s filing.
A relative of the woman, Samuel Okoro, corroborated the occurrence.
Premium Times said that Mr Okoro, who said he went to the spot after hearing about the incident, suspected arson.
“I don’t think it was not deliberate. There was no trace of bush burning around the building. Moreover, they have a separate kitchen where they cook.
“The woman is my cousin. The man (her husband) married two wives but the first wife is not living with them in the same compound,” he said.
Continuing, Mr Okoro said, “I was told that when some people called the husband of the deceased on the development, he nearly fainted. However, when we asked about him, the people said they didn’t know his whereabouts.
“Maybe they felt we wanted to beat the man or express our anger. But we will go back, especially when the burnt bodies are still there.”
Loveth Odah, the state’s police spokesman, could not be reached for comment right away since she was claimed to be at a meeting.