Six-month-old baby burnt to death as mum steps out

A six-month-old baby was burnt to death at the CA Street, House 52, Shagari Estate, Mosan Okunola, Ipaja area of Lagos after a month lit  a candle which burnt out on Saturday. The mother her of the baby was said to have laid the sleeping baby on the bed, lit a candle and  stepped outside to receive fresh air. 

The candle  burnt out and the fire quickly latched on to the plastic candle holder and spread to the room.

By the time the woman became aware that her apartment was on fire, the fire had spread round the room, roasting the baby on the bed.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, who confirmed this on Sunday  said the baby was burnt to death at about 9.30pm on Saturday.

He said: "The six-month old baby boy was burnt to death at about 9.30 p.m. on Saturday at their residence in Ipaja. The fire was caused by a candlestick lit by the mother of the child, who claimed to be taking fresh air outside, when the incident happened."

Fadipe, while advising the public to be wary of using candles, said many have died from candle fires. 

He also called on parents to stop locking up their kids at home no matter the circumstance.