Two fashion designers die of generating set fumes in Edo

Two fashion designers in Benin City, the Edo State capital, yesterday reportedly died after they inhaled fumes from a generating set, which they had put inside their shop while working on Monday night.

The incident happened along Second East Circular Road.One of the victims, simply identified as Obianuju, who was also the owner of the shop, was said to have invited her friend to work with her so she could deliver clothes to her customers on time.

The Guardian learnt that her apprentices had declined her invitation to work throughout the night. The option was for her to invite her friend.

Their lifeless bodies were retrieved by operatives of Esigie Divisional Police after the door was forced open.Obianuje’s brother, who identified himself as Chukwudi, said: “I got a call from my sister around 2:00 a.m. She complained that her friend was weak.

“I told her to give her anointing oil. Minutes later, I put a call to her mobile phone to know the situation of things, but she did not pick my call.

“I came here this morning and we invited the police to force the door open.”As at the time of this report, the police were yet to officially react to the incident.