LAGOS – Five children were, Monday, roasted to death in two separate fire incidents, which occurred in Iponri area of Lagos.

One of the incidents occurred at the popular ram market, destroying goods which monetary value was yet to be estimated as at yesterday.

The cause of the inferno at the ram market was yet to be ascertained but report said it started at about 12 midnight from one of the shanties.

It was gathered that mother of the children left for night prayers, leaving her children inside the locked shanty, with a lit candle.

But all of a sudden, other residents were jolted from sleep following thick smoke that was emanating from the shanty. Before help could come, report said, the raging fire had spread to other shanties made of wood, thereby roasting the children of ages 5, 7 and 12 to death.

Meanwhile, almost at the same time and same area , another building belonging to a security guard with the Federal Ministry of Works was also on fire.

Report said the guard also left a lit candle in his apartment located close to the canal.

His two male children of ages two and five were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.

The charred remains of the children were later released to their respective families by policemen from Iponri division for burial.