Power generating set fumes kill six in Ebonyi

AN attempt by some members of a family to enjoy sound sleep with a power generating set has resulted in the death of six, while other six persons are currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, Ebonyi State.Eyewitness account indicated that when the victims, who were members of the same family, did not come out of their house in the early hours of Tuesday, the neighbours were forced to break into their home.'We saw them lying as if in deep sleep; but after repeated calls, it was discovered that they were dead, may be out of suffocation from inhaling the exhaust fumes of the small generating set kept on the passage,' the source narrated.Giving more details of the incident, one John Kish Onu, told journalists that the incident occurred at night when the family went to bed, adding that they slept without putting off the generator in the passage of their house or shutting the door to their rooms.Onu added: 'The children's parents went to bed first; and because one of the children was sick, the others gathered to pray for him. After the prayers, one of them carried thegenerator to the passage and left it there. After that, one of the doors in the passage that led to where they were sleeping was opened to ensure ventilation while they went to bed oblivious of the implication. In the morning, people expected them to have waken only for us to discover them all lying helpless in death'.It was gathered that of the 12 that slept in the room, six were confirmed dead while six others, including their parents, are still in the hospital.The Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State command, Mr. John Eluu who confirmed the incident, said the six survivors were still in critical condition.Chairman of Ohaozara Council, Mr. Ogbuefi Akpa, described the death of the young people as shocking, saying that he visited the hospital where the survivors were being treated and urged the hospital authorities to ensure proper attention to save the victims' lives.While pleading with the people to avoid health threatening acts, Akpa disclosed that the Deputy Governor, David Umahi Nweze, was among the early callers at the hospital to commiserate with the family of the deceased and made a cash donation of N100, 000 to support the distraught family.
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