Five people have been confirmed dead and scores of others injured in a fire incident that occurred early Monday morning in the Mathare B slums of Nairobi.
According to reports, the five include three adults and two children and among those injured are four in critical condition.
Confirming the incident, Nairobi police boss George Sedah stated that the fire erupted at about 2am, beginning in a single iron-sheet dwelling before spreading to others nearby.
“We understand the victims were sleeping when the fire broke out, killing five of them. Four others are in the hospital with serious injuries,” Sedah stated.
The fire razed down eight houses and two churches within minutes, presenting a tough task for firefighters who arrived at the scene to stop the fire.
Five fire engines and volunteers battled the inferno, but the narrow pathways of the slum slowed the crew, leading to further destruction.
Those injured were rushed to a nearby Médecins Sans Frontières facility for specialised treatment. Although the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, authorities have launched investigations into the matter.
The tragedy is just the latest one to occur in an informal settlement, highlighting the need for better access roads and fire-safety infrastructure in Nairobi slums.
It comes just a day after another devastating fire ravaged through Gikomba market, taking down the shoe section of the second-hand merchandise market.
Reportedly, the fire broke out in the wee hours of Sunday morning at around 3am, leading traders to count millions in losses as some of the products burned were unopened bales of wares.
While confirming the incident, Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan stated that county firefighters and local volunteers had fought the raging fire.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in this fire. Its cause is, however, yet to be determined.
