OMUTHIYA – Omuthiya Constituency councillor Erastus Nekomba on Monday visited the homestead of the two toddlers who died after the shack they were sleeping in caught fire at Okakoko village in the Oshikoto region on Sunday.

Nekomba appealed to parents and guardians to prioritise child safety and adopt safer fire practices while emphasising the dangers of leaving young children unattended, particularly near fires, as colder weather sets in across the region.

“It’s cold, just try to get something warm to cover them. We should not make fires in rooms where we sleep. As the season changes and the wind blows, matches should be kept away from children,” Nekomba said.

He further discouraged parents and guardians from leaving children home alone, especially in situations involving open flames or unattended fires.
The two girls were identified as Lavinia Mateus and Ndahafa Handiya.

According to Namibian Police Force Oshikoto regional commander, Commissioner Ndeshipanda Lifo, the fire occurred around 08h00 on Sunday. 

The girls were left home alone by the mother of one of the toddlers while she went to collect firewood in nearby bushes.
The second victim was the woman’s niece. -Nampa