Two young girls that were splattered with petrol by their own father and then witnessed him light himself on fire, have been grief-stricken with panic, fear, and horrific memories.

Le Khac Son and Nguyen Thi Phuong married and had two daughters. Eventually, Son was forced to move to Dac Lak for work in order to earn more money to support his family.

While living and working away from home, Son heard rumours that his wife had an affair. He returned home at the Western New Year intending to investigate the rumours he'd been hearing. One night, he secretly read a message in his wife’s phone. The messaged was from another man asking his wife to hang out. This resulted in an argument and Son threatened to kill the whole family.

The two little girls are afraid of strangers (Photo by Ba Hai)

Phuong was so distraught that she tried to buy insecticides intending to kill herself, but the seller refused, as he had heard about the family’s conflict. Meanwhile, Son bought two bottles of petrol and poured it all over his body as well as his two daughters, then lit himself on fire.

Phuong came back home to witness the terrible scene and she screamed out for help. Neighbours came to rescue the two little girls and her husband but Son was already seriously burned and treated at the hospital.

Son’s parents are looking after their daughters while Phuong is taking care of Son in the hospital. “Ninh, Son’s father has sold the entire garden and borrowed money to cover treatment expenditures for Son but it is not enough. We can not do anything to help them because we are also too poor,” said Vo Hong Khanh, the hamlet leader.

“Their mother will lose her mind if her husband dies. We are too old and poor to take care of them,” said Le Thi Hoa, 60, Son’s mother.

“After the incident, my grandchildren are always in a constant panic. They often have nightmares and scream out, 'please do not burn me, dad!' Whenever they see fire, they run away and hide somewhere,” said Le Khac Ninh, 70, Son’s father.

“I was playing with my younger sister in the yard and suddenly my father poured petrol all over us. Then he burned himself and rushed to hug us. My classmates also know about my family’s story. I am so scared. I do not want to go to school anymore,” said Nga.

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