A fire that broke out on Tuesday in Antsahambilo, Ivato, claimed the lives of a mother and her daughter, leaving eighteen people homeless.
Two lives lost. A 16-year-old teenager, who had arrived only three days earlier to spend her vacation with her mother in the Ivato commune, perished in a fire that also claimed the life of her 42-year-old mother on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The fire started around 10:20 PM in their home in Antsahambilo. The flames spread very rapidly, trapping the two victims in their room and leaving them no chance to escape.
The causes of the disaster have not yet been established. Authorities are considering an electrical short circuit or embers from a heater used for broiler chickens. The explosion of a motorcycle fuel tank reportedly accelerated the spread of the flames. Six families, totaling eighteen people, were affected. Material losses are estimated at nearly 70% of their property.
Local residents, organized in a chain of solidarity, fought the flames until they were extinguished around 11:10 PM, due to the lack of intervention from the fire department. Testimonies collected on-site describe a night of chaos and helplessness. A neighbor recounted that the victims, frightened by the explosion of the electrical meter located near their door, tried to take refuge inside the house, but the flames quickly engulfed the premises, preventing any escape.
“We understood they were still inside,” a witness confided, explaining that the residents could only continue their efforts to contain the fire.
The brother of one of the victims described the rapid spread: “When my motorcycle tank exploded, the fire intensified even more.” According to him, the wind fanned the flames, compromising any rescue attempts. Another witness added: “The woman and her daughter cried for help, but the smoke and fire made access impossible. Even the small window through which they could have jumped was already surrounded by flames.”
In the morning, the Governor of the Analamanga region, Clémence Raharinirina, and the Mayor of Ivato, Penjy Randrianarisoa, visited the site to provide support and emergency aid to the affected families. They have taken charge of organizing the funeral arrangements.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-06 06:09:00 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/ivato-une-femme-et-sa-fille-succombent.html