At least 213 houses have been on Monday burnt to ash leaving an estimated 1,000 people homeless in Lotobok Boma of Longiro Payam in Lafon County in Eastern Equatoria State.

Lafon County Commissioner Magisto Ukachi Agweri told Radio Tamazuj that a fire broke out in Yahiyahi village in Lotobok Boma when young children were trying to prepare porridge in the absence of their parents.

“The households that burned are 213 and there are other small houses including granaries that have not been counted. The situation of those affected is now dire because they lost all the food they harvested,” he said. “The homeless people are now sheltering at Longiro Primary School and others are at the health facility.”

The commissioner said the fire was spread by strong winds.

Meanwhile, Angelo James Ayonyang, an SPLM-IO nominated member of the state parliament who represents the area, corroborated the commissioner’s assessment that the situation of the homeless people was dire.

“It is really unfortunate and the victims are now suffering because all the harvest they stored has been destroyed. I call on humanitarian agencies to rescue the situation,” he said. “Yesterday (Monday), I called the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) and they said they will send an assessment team.”

“A similar fire also razed properties in Imehejek last week,” he added.

Efforts to reach the RRC were futile.

This is the third massive fire incident in the county in the last month according to local authorities.

Source: Radio Tamazuj