An elderly couple died in a house fire late Wednesday night in Wau town, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, according to local authorities.
Police spokesperson Maj. Santino Odul told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the fire broke out around 11:30 p.m. in the Khor-Mudir residential area.
“We regret to inform the public that a thatched house caught fire last night at around 11:30 p.m. The residence was occupied by an elderly couple, Philip Mathok Bol, 86, and his wife, Nafisa Loj, 75,” Odul said.
Their remains were taken Thursday morning to Wau Teaching Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Odul said police have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
“Our Criminal Investigation Department is working hard to establish the circumstances of the incident,” he said. “If anyone is found to be responsible, they will be held accountable in accordance with the law.”
A family representative, Osman Bol Riek, who lives in Shalak north of Khor-Mudir, said he was informed about the fire late and arrived after the house was already destroyed.
“I was surprised when I heard about the fire. When I got to the scene, I found the house completely burned and the two elderly people had already perished,” Riek said. “I tried to call emergency services, but I couldn’t reach them in time.”
Riek added that the couple had no known disputes with anyone and that both the family and the police are investigating whether the fire was accidental or deliberately set.