Saudi family of seven dies in house fire sparked by mobile charger

Seven members of a family tragically lost their lives in a fire caused by a mobile phone charger in the city of Hofuf, Al-Ahsa governorate.

According to media reports, the victims included six siblings and their nephew, all of whom were overcome by toxic smoke inhalation after a blaze engulfed their two-story home.

The deceased were identified as Laila Hussein Al-Jibran, Iman Hussein, Latifa Hussein, Ahmed Hussein, Reda Hussein, Abdul-Ilah Hussein, and their nephew Hussein Ali Al-Jibran. Among the victims was Latifa Hussein, who had recently celebrated her marriage contract just days before the fire, and was awaiting her wedding ceremony.

The fire is believed to have started when a mobile charger, connected to the electricity, ignited while placed on a sofa in one of the rooms.

The flames quickly spread to the ceiling and engulfed the rest of the house. Sadiq Al-Jibran, the victims' uncle, explained that the fire began with the melting of the charger, which set the furniture alight.

Haider Al-Hassan, a relative of the family, detailed the rapid spread of the fire. When the flames first broke out, one of the sons alerted his uncle Basil, who tried to control the fire with water but was unable to prevent its quick escalation.

Hussein Al-Jibran, the father, attempted to open the doors to rescue his family, but he lost his balance and fell. His son Basil managed to help him out, alongside his mother. However, the thick smoke quickly filled the house, entering the rooms that were closed. Unfortunately, the smoke inhalation led to the deaths of all seven family members.

None of the victims suffered from burns, as they died from suffocation caused by the toxic smoke.

The Civil Defense teams responded promptly to the incident, but despite their best efforts to extinguish the fire, they were unable to save any survivors.

The surviving mother, who had been hospitalised following the incident, has since been discharged after her condition improved.