Traders are counting losses after a fire engulfed their trade items near Jamia Mosque in Homa Bay Town on Wednesday evening.
The fire whose cause remains unknown reportedly erupted at around 5 pm, before proceeding to destroy a number of business stalls in the area.
The fire was put out by firefighters from the county government, saving a nearby Twins Towers Hotel reportedly owned by a top government official.
However, residents condemned the county leadership for not owning a fire engine after the team was forced to use a water bowser to put out the fire.
"The bowser that was brought to extinguish the fire had low water pressure, we should be shown how our taxes are spent,” a resident told the Nation.
Initially, attempts by residents to put out the fire were thwarted by the strong winds that were blowing.
The situation also gave chance to criminals who used the confusion to loot products from the burning stalls as others attempted to use fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire.
County Water Secretary Walter Nyawinda and County Secretary Isaiah Ongwe watched from the hotel balcony as the two teams battled the fire which was ultimately put out.