A CHILD died in a fire-razed home in Central Guadalcanal after being trapped and efforts to save her failed.
The heart-wrenching incident occurred on late Sunday night just next to the Tenaru Bridge and it plunged the community into a state of shock and mourning.
The child, a girl in the 5-7 age range was allegedly asleep with her other siblings and their mother when the fire broke out and was trapped inside the house, while her other siblings and mother escaped.
The fire, which was said to have started unexpectedly, quickly engulfed the structure of the small house, leaving no time at all for a rescue attempt by neighbors.
The child’s body was recovered an hour later and rushed to the National Referral Hospital along with her mother and siblings who suffered serious burn wounds.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. However, there are reports circulating that an elderly man who was under the influence of liquor may have started it.
The Henderson police refused to provide any detailed information about the incident when they were rung on Tuesday by the Solomon Star.
Solomon Star understands police have launched a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances that caused the fire.
Police Media on Wednesday has confirmed the age of the girl as nine years old.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
