Two parents were hospitalised after suffering severe shock following the death of their children in a devastating house fire in Kilimanjaro Region.
The victims have been identified as four-year-old Geriel and two-year-old Leon Caessaer Shayo, who were burnt to death while inside their family home in Katanini area, Karanga Ward. The tragic incident has left the local community in mourning.
According to authorities, the fire broke out while the children were inside the house, trapping them before help could arrive. Firefighters from the Kilimanjaro Regional Fire and Rescue Service responded to the incident and later recovered the bodies, which were covered at the scene as investigations began.
The children’s parents, who were not inside the house at the time of the incident, reportedly collapsed upon learning of the tragedy and were rushed to hospital for treatment after going into shock.
Officials said the cause of the fire had not yet been established, and investigations are ongoing to determine how the blaze started. Local leaders and emergency responders have urged residents to exercise caution, particularly when using household heating, cooking or electrical appliances.
Neighbours described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that the family had lived peacefully in the area and that the loss has deeply affected the wider community.
The tragedy adds to growing concerns over domestic fire safety, especially during periods when families rely heavily on indoor heating and cooking methods that may pose fire risks.
