At least five members of the same family were killed after a fire broke out in a residential home in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, local authorities and emergency officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The victims were identified as a mother, her three young children, and their maternal aunt. According to fire officials, the children were girls aged 12, 7, and 5. The family was inside the house when the blaze erupted, while the only survivor, the children’s grandmother, managed to escape.
The fire occurred in the 26 June district, neighborhood 150, and rapidly engulfed the home, which was constructed from corrugated iron and surrounded by similar structures. The Hargeisa Fire Department said the close spacing of the houses allowed the flames to spread quickly, leaving the occupants little chance to flee.
Firefighters responded to the scene and were able to bring the fire under control, but the victims had already died from burns and smoke inhalation by the time rescue teams reached the house.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined. The Somaliland Police Criminal Investigation Department has opened an investigation and is examining whether electrical faults or unsafe household energy sources may have contributed to the incident.
The city’s fire chief warned that residential fires linked to electrical problems and unsafe living conditions have been increasing, particularly in densely populated areas. He urged residents to take greater precautions to reduce fire risks, especially in homes where children are present.
In response to the tragedy, the Somaliland government said it had provided $40,000 in emergency assistance to the affected family. Officials offered condolences and prayers for the victims, calling on the community to support the surviving relatives.
Deadly house fires remain a recurring concern in Hargeisa, where many residents live in informal housing with limited fire safety infrastructure, underscoring ongoing challenges related to urban safety and emergency preparedness.
