Residents of Assorko Essaman, a community in the Shama District of the Western Region, are currently in a state of shock after a jealous boyfriend allegedly set his girlfriend’s room on fire, leading to her death and injuring her daughter.
The deceased, identified as Regina Nyame, 45, and her 21-year-old daughter, Sheila Baidoo, were in their room when the suspect, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, allegedly poured petrol into the room through the window and set it ablaze.
According to reports, the suspect became furious after his girlfriend informed him that she could no longer marry him.
Narrating her ordeal to Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show, Sheila Baidoo recounted the horrifying moment the fire started.
“I was in the bedroom with my mother around 10 p.m. She was asleep while I was still on my phone browsing social media. All of a sudden, someone poured petrol, and fire flashed through my mum. It happened so fast that we couldn’t even understand what was going on. The whole room caught fire instantly,” Sheila indicated on October 8.
According to her, in an attempt to save her mother, she managed to pass through the fire to call for help.
“I managed to run through the flames to call for help. People in the area rushed in and managed to douse the fire. My mother was pulled out and rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital,” she added.
Sheila revealed that her mother passed away the following morning due to the severity of her burns.
“The doctors were preparing to transfer her to another facility this morning, but she unfortunately passed away. I also suffered burns on my back and I’m currently receiving treatment at the same hospital,” she stated.
She suspects her stepfather might be behind the attack, explaining that her mother had recently told him she could not marry him, a rejection that might have triggered the act.
“My stepfather had been having issues with my mother for some time. Some weeks ago, he poured water on her while she was asleep and ran away. I didn’t see him setting the fire, but witnesses say the person they saw matched his description, wearing jeans and a jacket, and sped off on a motorbike right after the incident. We also found petrol in a gallon at the back of our house,” Sheila alleged.
Assembly Member for the area, Nana Kwesi Arko, confirmed the incident and stated that police have begun investigations.
