Tragedy struck in the Oluwatuyi area of Akure, Ondo State, as two young siblings, Jelad Oluwaranakinse, aged five, and Jenson Oluwaranakinse, aged three, lost their lives in a house fire on Thursday.

Eyewitnesses reported that their mother, Mrs. Deborah Oluwaranakinse, had locked the boys inside their apartment while she stepped out to buy food. During her absence, a fire broke out, engulfing the house and leaving the children trapped inside.

Neighbors rushed to extinguish the flames and rescue the boys but were unable to save them. By the time the Ondo State Fire Service arrived, the fire had already consumed the apartment, leaving little that could be salvaged.

The charred remains of the children were recovered and taken to the morgue at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure.

Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. "The two male children left in the room were choked and burnt. Their mother had locked them inside and stepped out to search for food," Odunlami stated.

The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the community, as residents mourn the loss of the young siblings.