Fire Razes 150 Huts In IDPs Camp In Far North Cameroon

At least 150 huts constructed with temporary materials in a displaced persons camp in Kolofata town, Far North region of Cameroon, were lost to fire on Sunday, May 30, 2021.  

“In spite of all the efforts by the occupants of the open air camp to put out the fire, the wind and extreme dry atmosphere contributed to increase the ferocity of the fire rendering the efforts of the population useless,” said a civil society source who witnessed the fire incident. 

While some displaced persons were reported to have rescued their clothings and kitchen utensils, foodstuff and other personal effects in the huts were completely consumed by the fire.

Some of the displaced persons affected said they were surprised by the flames which seemed to have sparked off from nowhere and were consuming belongings in all directions.

“We had neither water nor sand to put out the flames so we merely watched helplessly as the fire consumed our belongings. Right now, we sleep in the open air so we call on the government to come to our assistance,” one of the affected persons who gave his name as Alim Oumate said.

No life was lost in the inferno. 

There are several displaced persons camps spread across Kolofata with fire incidents becoming regular occurrences in the camps.

The last inferno was on April 27, 2021 which razed the displaced persons camp in Kerawa situated 10 kilometres from Kolofata which is the chief down of the Kolofata sub division in Mayo-Sava division. Some children lost their lives in the said fire.