Philip Okyere, the younger brother of the late veteran actor Mawuli Semevo, who tragically lost his life in a fire incident, has recounted the severity of the fire on that fateful day.
Philip Okyere explained that the fire initially engulfed the hall, while Mawuli Semevo was in the bedroom, unaware of the impending danger.
Continuing with his account, he mentioned that since they were on the top floor, the only escape route was through the door to the hall.
He recalled in an effort to save himself, Mawuli Semevo was forced to rush through the flames.
He said the combination of fear and adrenaline drove the late actor to rush through the fire, leading to severe burns that eventually caused his death.
Philip Okyere shared the full story, saying, “Around 10:30 to 11:00 PM, I was home. I had just returned after filling gas cylinders when the lights went off briefly, then came back on. At one point, I went from the bedroom to check what was happening in the hall. When I went in, the hall was already engulfed in flames.
“I went to turn off the power from the meter, suspecting that the fault might have come from the freezer. Everything was burning. I immediately called for help and contacted the fire service because there was no way we could handle the situation ourselves.
“I tried to open the door to the hall so we could both escape, but I couldn’t get the door open. So, we decided to stay in the bedroom. Uncle Mawuli then left the bedroom to open the door to the hall. He eventually managed to open the door and passed through the flames. It was a mixture of adrenaline and fear that pushed him to go through the fire,” he told GHPage.
Philip also mentioned that at one point, he considered using a rope to escape the building.
“If the fire had reached the bedroom, we wouldn’t have stood a chance. We live on the top floor. For a moment, I thought about using a rope to descend the building rather than go through the flames,” he added.
Burns International, the NGO responsible for caring for the veteran actor prior to his demise, reported that he suffered burns up to 44% of his body, which affected his respiratory organs, making it difficult for him to breathe.
Mawuli Semevo passed away at Ridge Hospital on Thursday, February 20, 2025, while receiving treatment for the injuries sustained in the fire.
The late actor was renowned for his exceptional work in both film and theater.
He starred in notable movies such as A Stab in the Dark, Harvest at 17, Escape of Love, The Good Old Days: The Love of AA, and Like Cotton Twines.
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