Edo: Fire at Cibeles Luxury Hotel Kills Three Guests

A devastating fire broke out early Sunday morning at the Cibeles Luxury Hotel in Benin City, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The fire, which started around 4 a.m. on the first floor of the hotel located at 9 Emoavwodua Street, off Limit Road, off Sapele, claimed the lives of Bright Amechi, Michael Awowea, and Cynthia Ogiugo.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the victims were hotel guests and were asleep when the fire erupted. The Edo State Fire Service was promptly contacted and managed to extinguish the blaze. Unfortunately, three individuals were found unconscious from smoke inhalation and were rushed to the Edo State Specialist Hospital and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Despite efforts to save them, all three victims were pronounced dead.

SP Nwabuzor stated that Bright Amechi and Michael Awowea were confirmed dead at UBTH, while Cynthia Ogiugo passed away at the Edo State Specialist Hospital. Their bodies have been moved to the mortuary at Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

The hotel’s supervisor, Emmanuel Ogunyemi, indicated that the fire originated from a room occupied by a lodger named Andrew Roberts, who attributed the cause to an electrical fault in the air conditioner. The police have since arrested several individuals in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain their involvement.

The management of Cibeles Luxury Hotel has reportedly accepted responsibility for the incident and agreed to cover all burial expenses for the victims. Additionally, they have committed to purchasing land for the burial of Cynthia Ogiugo. Attempts to reach the hotel management for further comments were unsuccessful, but a source confirmed these arrangements under anonymity.