A resident looks at the aftermath of the raging fire. (Photo/Agnes Bitutu)
Two people have perished after fire guttered their houses on Saturday night at Kisumu Ndogo Slum, in Athi River, Machakos County.
Vincent Baraza and Gerald Oluoch, workers of Kifaru Unga Limited, Athi River factory, were reduced to ashes while asleep when fire razed down their rented ‘mabati’ houses at around 1.30am.
The incident was confirmed by Mavoko location chief Nzau Komu who noted that the duo was dead drunk when the fire broke out. He observed that the cause of the fire wasn't immediately established.
Josephine Wambua a neighbor said that they tried to call Machakos county emergency services in vain. She said that other people were forced to demolish houses in a bid to prevent the fire from spreading. She said the duo who shared a single room house died while sleeping on the same mattress on the floor, “they lived miserable lives.’“
Machakos county government should fix Mavoko fire engine to help emergencies since there was no functional engine when we called the fire brigade," lamented Wambua. The four single houses got completely consumed by fire since the residents’ efforts to put it out were futile as nothing was salvaged.
The remains of the two were taken to City Mortuary by police officers. However, the residents complained that parts of the remains were left lying at the scene. “Police should do a good job, why leave parts of the men’s bodies at the scene, they should come and clear the remains,” said Wambua.