A 45-year-old woman identified as Regina Nyame has died in a mysterious fire that swept through her home at Assorko Essaman in the Shama District of the Western Region on Tuesday night.
According to eyewitness accounts, the tragic incident, which occurred around 10 p.m., is believed to have been caused by an arson attack allegedly carried out by a man said to be the deceased’s jilted boyfriend.
Regina and her 21-year-old daughter, Sheila Baidoo, were in their room when the building suddenly went up in flames. Residents suspect that the attacker poured petrol into the room through the window before setting it ablaze.
“She was asleep while I was on my phone browsing social media,” Sheila recounted in an interview with Connect FM in Takoradi. “All of a sudden, someone poured petrol and set the room on fire. It happened so fast that I could not understand what was going on — the whole room caught fire instantly.”
In a desperate attempt to save her mother, Sheila ran through the flames to call for help. “People in the area rushed in and managed to quench the fire and pulled my mother out. She was rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital but passed away later due to the severity of her burns. The doctors were preparing to transfer her to another facility yesterday morning, but she unfortunately passed away,” she said.
Sheila, who also sustained burns on her back, is currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.
She alleged that her mother had recently ended a troubled relationship with her stepfather, a decision she believes may have provoked the attack. “I did not see him setting the fire, but witnesses say the person they saw allegedly pouring the fuel matched his description,” she added.
Residents of Assorko Essaman are said to be in shock over the gruesome incident, describing Regina as a peaceful woman who did not deserve such a cruel death.
The Assembly Member for the area, Nana Kwesi Arko, confirmed that police have launched a full-scale investigation into the suspected arson and are pursuing leads to apprehend the perpetrator.
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