Fatal Flames Or Foul Play? Was Arua City Newlywed Couple’s Tragic Petrol Fire A Horrific Accident Or Something More Sinister?”

heartbreaking incident unfolded in Arua City as a recently married couple, Lillian Anguezaru Fungaro (20) and Emmanuel Adima (30), lost their lives in a petrol fire at their residence on Tuesday night. The circumstances surrounding the tragic incident are currently under investigation by Arua City police.

The couple, married just two weeks ago, resided in Okuazaku cell, Arivu ward, Ayivu Division, Arua City. The event occurred around 11 p.m., with the house quickly becoming engulfed in flames.

Emmanuel Adima, despite suffering severe burns, managed to escape the burning house and was rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital in critical condition. Sadly, Lillian Anguezaru Fungaro succumbed instantaneously to the intense flames.

On January 24, 2024, Emmanuel Adima succumbed to his injuries, marking a tragic end to the young couple’s brief union.

According to Francis Abiti, a neighbor, they were alerted to the distressing situation by the couple’s cries for help. Upon rushing outside, they found the house ablaze and were helpless to extinguish the fire.

Abiti revealed that Adima was involved in the sale of smuggled fuel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “At approximately 11 p.m., we heard them yelling for help inside their house. When we went outside to investigate, we discovered that the house was on fire, and we were helpless to put it out,” Abiti recounted.

The Regional Fire Brigade arrived at the scene at 11:43 p.m., but unfortunately, Anguezaru had already suffered fatal burns beyond recognition, according to Josephine Angucia, the Police spokesperson for the West Nile district. The nearby buildings were spared, and the fire was successfully extinguished by the fire brigade crew.

Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that the house was heavily filled with gasoline fumes when a matchbox was lit inside, resulting in the tragic fire.

The West Nile region has seen recurring incidents of gasoline fires, often linked to the illegal smuggling of fuel from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo through numerous unauthorized entry points. This tragedy echoes similar incidents, including the loss of lives in petrol fires in the Maracha sector and Koboko district in previous years.

As the community mourns the untimely demise of the newlyweds, authorities are urged to address the issue of fuel smuggling and enhance safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.