A 74-year-old woman lost her life to a fire accident on Friday. The victim is a resident of Chinkanga village in Chief Tungati’s Chiefdom in Luwingu District.
The fire broke out in the victim’s house a few days previously. The 74 year old had at the time sustained serious burn injuries as a result of the fire accident.
The fire had been started on purpose by some suspects who have not been identified. The woman who has died may have had a connection to the perpetrators of Arson.
She was receiving treatment for her burns at the hospital after the accident. However, she succumbed to her injuries after some days.
The woman has been identified as Mwansa Nshindaila. She died on Friday in Luwingu
Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkondya has confirmed the development.
The commanding officer Munkondya spoke to the media during a telephonic interview. She informed them that the police force in Luwingu had recorded a case of arson on 13th July 2024.
She said the case has now turned into murder after the death of the victim.
Office Lucky Munkondya said police have since apprehended one suspect to help with the investigation.
“Be informed that a lady, namely Mwansa Nshindaila, aged 74, of Chinkanga village Chief Tungati, has her house set ablaze whilst asleep,” she had earlier said in a statement.
The Commanding Officer said her grass thatched house was completely burned while she sustained severe fire burns.
The victim was taken to Tungati Mini Hospital immediately after the incident. She was later on referred to Luwingu District Hospital on July 23 after her condition deteriorated.
“While at the district hospital, the daughter in law Florence Kabeleka, was informed that the patient would be referred to Kasama General Hospital. But logistics could not allow it, and she was discharged from the hospital,” she explained.
Officer Munkondya said the lady died yesterday and has since been buried, while police have marked her grave for possible exhumation.
She adds that the police have also opened a docket for murder.