A Nigerian family is grappling with the devastating loss of their 15-year-old son, Ejimnaka Michael Chidera, who perished in a fire that broke out at his boarding school.
The tragic incident was recounted by Chidera’s sister, identified as Kristabella_22 on TikTok, who shared the harrowing details with her followers. According to her, Chidera had left for his boarding school, the Bishop Crowther Memorial Seminary School in Awka, Anambra State, full of life and promise. However, the family’s joy was shattered when they received the news that their beloved son had been returned to them in a coffin.
The school authorities informed the family that a fire had ravaged the building where the students were housed, and despite the efforts to evacuate everyone, Chidera was unable to be rescued in time. His charred remains were later discovered in the dormitory after the flames had been extinguished.
In a heartfelt tribute, Kristabella wrote, “You went to school and returned home dead. I thought you would finish school and come back in a grand style, but you came back as a corpse. Sleep well, my brother, my heart is broken.”
The family shared an obituary poster and a video capturing the moment the coffin containing Chidera’s remains was brought to their home in Amaifo Village, Akpo, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. Chidera, the first son of his parents, was laid to rest in the family compound on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
The fire, which broke out around 11:30 pm on May 18, 2024, caused significant damage to the school’s hostel, including the loss of students’ belongings and valuables. The Anambra State Fire Service Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, stated that firefighters and a fire truck were dispatched to the scene, but the blaze had already claimed Chidera’s life.
Kristabella expressed her deep grief, revealing that Chidera’s death was the third tragedy to strike her family in recent years. She had lost her father in 2018 and her cousin in 2019, and now she was faced with the unimaginable pain of losing her younger brother.
