IT was emotional moment at the Enugu Prisons quarters on Friday as the bodies of the two victims of the recent fuel tanker inferno lay in state for public view.

The victims — a mother, Glory Iroha, 41 and her son, Ifeanyi Iroha, 24 — were burnt to death during the July 28 inferno at the prisons quarters.

The incident occurred when the tanker, filled with diesel, overturned while negotiating a roundabout, spilling its flammable contents that eventually caught fire, wreaking havoc within the barracks.

Several houses and vehicles were razed. Thousands of sympathisers, relations and well-wishers thronged the barracks on Friday to view the remains of the victims which were bound for Ohafia, Abia, home town of the victims.

Meanwhile in his reaction, Mr Chijioke Iroha, elder brother to the late Ifeanyi, said, “It has not been easy for the family since the incident occurred. I thank government officials, particularly the prisons staff, who came to our aid in preparing for this funeral.”

Mrs Betsy Kalu, on behalf of the Ohafia women community in Enugu, said, “I urge members of the family to take heart over the tragedy that occurred. I want you to bear in mind that you are not the first family to experience this type of incident.” Mrs Nwanna Ogbonaya, a sympathiser, said, “Use this type of incident to get closer to God. Please re-organise yourselves for the challenges ahead.” The prisons’ Youth Leader, Mr Chuks Obi said, “Since the incident happened on July 28, the entire youth have not had a rest. Williams Armah, the Vice-President of the Presbyterian Church Youth, said, “The news of the death of Ifeanyi, our president, came to us as a shock. Ifeanyi was the best leader that the church has ever produced. He was a product that money cannot buy; he devoted his entire life to the service of the church.