Man detained after fire kills seven-year-old boy in Aweil South

AWEIL – Authorities in Aweil South County of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have detained a local man following a fire incident that killed a seven-year-old boy in Malek-Alel area on Thursday morning.

The suspect, identified as Garang Deng, allegedly started a fire while burning branches from a palm tree that he intended to use as timber poles for constructing a traditional hut.

According to the county’s Director of Information, Simon Lual Buk, the fire quickly spread due to strong winds common during the dry season, eventually reaching a nearby hut where the child was sleeping.

“The incident is very unfortunate. People in the area are mourning seriously,” Buk said. “The man was burning branches from a palm tree that he wanted to use for building his local hut, but because of the windy conditions, the fire spread to another hut.”

Buk said the flames engulfed the hut where the boy, Gar Anyar Anei, aged seven, was sleeping, resulting in his death.

The tragedy has left residents of Malek-Alel shocked and grieving.

Local authorities confirmed that the suspect is currently being held at Malek-Alel, the headquarters of Aweil South County, while investigations into the incident continue. Officials said the case is expected to proceed to the county court once the investigation is completed.

Buk also used the incident to warn residents about the dangers of careless burning, particularly during the dry and windy season when fires can spread rapidly.

“People need to exercise patience and caution. Setting fire to vegetation without considering the surroundings can easily lead to disasters like this,” he said.

He further urged communities to be mindful of the environment, noting that uncontrolled burning not only endangers lives and property but also destroys plants and wildlife that are important for ecological preservation.

Fire-related incidents are common in many rural parts of South Sudan during the dry season. Earlier this year, a similar tragedy occurred in Warrap State, where four girls died after a fire spread through dry grass while men were smoking bees out of a hive.

Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid reckless burning practices and to take greater precautions when handling fire near homes and vegetation.