70 year old man burnt beyond recognition

A 70 year-old English tutor on Wednesday got burnt beyond recognition when fire engulfed the administrative block of Christ International Preparatory School in Sunyani whilst he was asleep.

Mr Francis Gaisie, acting Sunyani Municipal Fire Officer, told the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani that, the deceased, Mr Alexander Akablay, of Williwise Educational Complex in Sunyani and a former tutor of Christ International School, was used to spend the night in its staff resting room, which had five beds.

He said at about 2120 hours on Wednesday, the office received a distress call from a fire officer Mr Mark Ayanga that had seen a very thick smoke emitting from the school compound.

The office responded promptly and got to the scene in about 10 minutes only to find the administrative block made up of a staff common room, stores and a resting place, in flames, the acting Municipal Fire Officer said.

He said it took the fire personnel about 40 minutes to bring the fire under control after which the charred body of the deceased was found lying on the floor.

Mr Gaisie said it was realized the deceased woke up from the bed and run toward the entrance of the door in an attempt to escape but was trapped by the fire.

He added a security officer at the school, Mr. John Atia, told the fire personnel that the deceased had complained of not feeling well but did not know exactly what caused the fire.

The case is still under investigation but said a lit candle could have caused the fire in view of the nationwide power outage at the time of the incident, Mr Gaisie added.

He said the classrooms as well as the dormitories were not affected by the fire. Classes were in progress when the fire team visited the school on Thursday.

The body has been conveyed to the Sunyani Regional Hospital for autopsy.**