Houses have gone up in flames after a boy set fire to a mattress at Core site, Estate Nyahururu as he fought another youth over a chapati.
Eye witnesses said that the two clashed at their home. One of them, however, got irritated after he was overpowered.
He reportedly decided to light a match which fell on a mattress and spread, setting ablaze their houses and their neighbours in three plots.
" We attempted to put out the fire, with help from passers-by who were heading home to no avail. Regardless, we thank God that nobody got hurt," said a resident at the scene.
Firefighters from Nyandarua and Laikipia together with locals collaborated in putting out the fire. They eventually managed but were unable to salvage anything from the houses. No casualties were reported from the incident
"Three plots have caught the fire. The first one was not affected much, the second plot has 24 houses that went ablaze. The third plot has one entire house in ashes.
"This has rendered families and individuals homeless and without property. They now have to seek shelter as they figure out the next move," added another resident.
Fire incidents have been reported in various regions over conflicts that went unresolved, with police noting that individuals seem to channel anger and grief in vandalising property.
In February 2021, a family in Elgeyo Marakwet sought revenge by torching 23 houses belonging to their neighbours following the murder of their 2-year-old child.
In January, enraged residents burnt down four houses belonging to a trader in Embu in the belief that he had a hand in the disappearance and eventual murder of a boy in the area.
