Two young men from Gangare community in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State lost their lives due to charcoal smoke, as they tried to keep warm during the cold weather on Saturday. The victims, 25-year-olds Saminu Idris and Idris Dahiru, were preparing to sleep by burning charcoal in their room when the tragedy occurred around 12:30 am.
They are believed to have suffocated from inhaling toxic smoke emitted by the burning charcoal. A family member confirmed the incident and urged residents to avoid using charcoal in sleeping rooms. The elder brother of one of the deceased explained that the friends had collected charcoal from him to set up the room warmer before going to sleep.
The following morning, a neighbor noticed an unusual odor emanating from the victims’ residence, leading to the tragic discovery. The National Remote Sensing Centre reported that the temperature in Jos had dropped to 6.9 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest city in the country.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with using charcoal indoors for warmth during the Harmattan season. It is a cautionary tale urging people to prioritize safety and avoid hazardous methods of staying warm in extreme weather conditions.