A fire destroyed four wooden houses in Andohatapenaka II the night before last, resulting in the tragic death of a two-year-old child. The child’s father had stepped out to buy soup, only to return and find his home engulfed in flames.
The grandfather, who had just returned from a trip, arrived at the scene simultaneously. Entry was impossible. “We could no longer hear the child’s voice when we arrived. I shouted, ‘Help, the baby is still inside!'” recounted Randrianatoandro Masimamy. Together with neighbors, the family attempted to extinguish the blaze. It was only after the fire was brought under control that they discovered the body near the bed.
Neighbors mobilized to help. “We used all the water we could find. I also brought sand,” testified Felana.
The fire ravaged four homes housing twenty-four people, mostly related tenants. They were unable to save anything but the clothes they were wearing. Some belongings in an adjacent brick house were also damaged.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. “No fire was lit, it wasn’t mealtime, and we don’t use electricity. The child was too young to play with fire,” the grandfather stated.
The affected families spent the night with neighbors. Municipal authorities, led by the delegate of the first arrondissement, visited the site along with firefighters and the local fokontany official to assess the situation for support. The child’s remains were transported yesterday to Manalalondo, their home region.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-29 05:53:58 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/andohatapenaka-ii-un-enfant-de-deux-ans.html