By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

At least six members of a family were confirmed dead following a midnight fire incident in Ede, Ede North Local Government area of Osun State.

The deceased include a father, who sources said was a Customs officer, his wife, and their four children.

It was gathered that the incident occurred as a result of a solar explosion in their house.

Our correspondent learned that the fire broke out while the family was asleep, leading to the tragic deaths. Reports indicated that the victims were burnt to death, with only one of the children managing to escape.

The unfortunate incident, which occurred on Customs Tijani Kabiru Road, Akankan in Ede, started at about 3:21 a.m.

Residents of the area have been thrown into mourning following the tragedy.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the Osun State Fire Service, Engineer Olaniyi Ismaila Alimi, said it was caused by a solar system explosion.

Speaking through the Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service, Mr Adekunle Ibraheem, Alimi said: “We received a distress call via our emergency number, 08030808254, at 3:21 a.m., and our team from the Ede Zonal Command proceeded to the scene, with a backup team joining from the Fire Service Headquarters, Abere.

“They lost their lives alongside four of their children (three boys and one girl), whose ages ranged from 3 to 10 years.”

He confirmed that the owner of the house where the incident occurred was a deceased Customs officer.

“Mr Tijani Kabiru, who was reported to be in his late 40s, and his wife, who was in her early 40s, lost their lives in the inferno. The fire was suspected to have started about an hour before the fire service was notified.

“Their bodies were handed over to officers from the A’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force and deposited in a morgue.”

Only one child, a 13-year-old boy survived the incident