A fire sparked by a candle has left an Abia couple, Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Nwosu, and their four children homeless in Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia.

The incident occurred after the family’s children had fallen asleep while using a candle to read their books during a recent electricity outage.

In an emotional appeal for assistance, the couple revealed that all their belongings were destroyed, leaving nothing salvageable.

Mrs. Nwosu explained that she had purchased the candle to study for her NCE examinations, and the fire started while they were both away from home. “The children lit the candle to read and accidentally caused the fire. Thankfully, our children are safe, but everything else is gone,” she said in tears.

Her husband, Mr. Godwin Nwosu, a tricycle operator in Umuahia, lamented the loss of their home and belongings. “The fire destroyed everything we worked for in 2025. We are now homeless with nothing but ashes,” he said.

The couple has appealed to the public for temporary accommodation and financial support to help them recover from the disaster.