A two-and-a-half-year-old child has died in a fire that broke out at his family home in Huye District, while his four-year-old sibling sustained facial burns and everything inside the house was destroyed.
The incident occurred during the daytime on August 8, 2026, at the home of Nzabirinda Jean Bosco in Rurenda Village, Matyazo Cell, Ngoma Sector.
Neighbours Respond to Fire
According to neighbours, they saw flames and thick smoke coming from the house and rushed to the scene, where they found the building engulfed in fire. The house was already badly damaged, while the four-year-old child was found outside with facial injuries caused by the fire.
One resident said that when the fire broke out, the children’s mother was outside. She rushed into the house and managed to rescue the four-year-old child, taking him outside. However, she was unable to reach the two-and-a-half-year-old, who was in the room where the fire had started, resulting in his death.
Four-Year-Old Receives Treatment
The Rwanda National Police Southern Region spokesperson, CIP Hassan Kamanzi, told IGIHE that firefighters immediately responded after receiving the report.
“Police found that the two-and-a-half-year-old child had died in the fire, while his four-year-old sibling had sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB),” he said.
Electrical Fault Suspected
CIP Kamanzi added that preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical fault. The fire reportedly started from the ceiling of the room where the younger child was and then spread throughout the house.
Police Urges Fire Safety
He urged parents to make every effort to stay with their children or ensure that they are always under the supervision of responsible adults to protect them from potential dangers.
He also urged the public to ensure that electrical installations in their homes are carried out using quality materials by qualified technicians who are officially authorised to perform such work. He further encouraged residents to insure their homes and other properties against losses that may result from fires and other disasters.
