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Four children under the age of ten were killed early Sunday morning after their father allegedly locked them inside their home and set it on fire in the October neighborhood of Ahmed Dhagax district, Hargeisa. Authorities said the incident has left the entire community in deep shock and grief.
Witnesses and firefighters described the fire as one of the most horrific scenes they had ever encountered. The flames quickly engulfed the small family house, trapping three boys and a girl inside with no way to escape. Neighbors identified the father only as Hamse and said they saw him leaving the burning house moments after the fire started.
One witness told MMTV that they tried to help but were stopped by Hamse himself. “We saw the house on fire,” the witness recalled. “I shouted at him to save the children, but he told us to leave him alone and then walked away.”
The Somaliland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that Hamse was arrested by Criminal Investigation Department officers while trying to flee the area. According to investigators, the man had been in a heated legal dispute with his wife over custody of their children. The couple had reportedly appeared in court earlier the same day. Only the family’s youngest child, a breastfeeding infant who was with her mother at the time, survived the tragedy.
Neighbors said they were unaware that the children were inside when the fire broke out. “We didn’t know they were alone,” said one woman named Deeqa. “We heard them crying, but by then, the flames had spread too fast. The oldest child was only eight years old.” Firefighters struggled to contain the blaze, but by the time they gained access to the home, it was too late.
Authorities later transported the children’s bodies to Hargeisa’s main hospital as investigations continued. Police said they are working to uncover the full details of what happened and what may have motivated the father to commit such a horrific act.
Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed Hassan (Sawaxili), the commander of the Somaliland Fire and Rescue Service, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “We share our heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family,” he said. “It is heartbreaking to lose innocent children in such a painful way. May God grant the family patience and peace.”
The shocking incident has drawn national attention and sparked widespread outrage across Somaliland. Former President Muse Bihi Abdi also issued a message of condolence, describing the fire as “a rare and devastating event that has shaken the entire community.” He urged people to remain calm and compassionate as investigators seek justice for the victims.
Many residents of Hargeisa have gathered near the scene to mourn the children and comfort the grieving mother, whose life has been shattered by the loss. Community leaders and religious figures have called for unity, compassion, and stronger efforts to address domestic disputes peacefully before they escalate into violence.
As the investigation continues, the October neighborhood remains in mourning. What began as a quiet morning in the city turned into one of its darkest days—a tragedy that has left everyone asking how such a thing could happen in their community.