Teacher and son die in fire outbreak

Koforidua, Jan 15, GNA- Mr Bernard Adika Gatson, a 45-year-old teacher and his seven-year-old son, Basil Gatson, lost their lives when fire gutted their house at Betom in Koforidua in the early hours of Tuesday.

The victims were initially taken rushed to the Koforidua Central hospital but were referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where they died.

Superintendent of Police John Naami, Koforidua District Commander, said preliminary reports showed that the victims were fast asleep in the room when an occupant of one of the rooms heard an unusual noise.

He saw thick smoke and flames emanating from the victims' room and raised the alarm but the door was locked so he forcibly opened it to rescue the victims.

A distress call was sent to the fire service and they managed to control the fire within 30 minutes whiles the victims were sent to the hospital.

He said the cause of the fire was not known and further investigations were being conducted.

GNA