Two toddlers lost their lives prematurely to a fire. Police in Lamwo District are investigating the circumstances under which the two young South Sudanese refugees lost their lives in a house fire at the Palabek-Ogili Settlement Camp.
Identified as Maruoth Lam Mawich, a 4-year-old boy, and Kuiya Nyakuach, a 3-year-old girl, they perished in the blaze that occurred around 10:30pm in Zone 7, Block 8B on Sunday.
Mr. Joe Oloya, the Aswa East Regional Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident on Monday, February 24, 2025, saying investigations into the fire are underway.
“Our team of detectives is investigating the matter to establish exactly how the fire started on Sunday. It is indeed sad that we lost the two children,” Mr. Oloya said.
The bodies of the victims have been taken to Kitgum General Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination. A case of sudden death has been registered at Lamwo Central Police Station.
Preliminary reports indicated that the fire originated from cooking food and spread to the next house, where the two children were sleeping, and eventually reduced five thatched huts within the refugee settlement camp to ashes.
This Palabek-Ogili Settlement Camp was previously hit with a tragedy of a lightning strike that killed 14 people in November 2024.