Six houses were razed down and property of an unknown value destroyed after a mysterious fire struck a homestead at Ulanda village in Siaya county on Monday.
Residents were left in shock as the fire, which started in a hut belonging to one of the wives of Fredrick Otada, spread to five other houses despite attempts to contain it.
Joyce Achieng said her family members noticed fire coming from her co-wife's hut and rushed to try to put it off only for the flames to spread to the other huts.
One of Otada's daughters, Petronila Aluoch, said she was washing her school uniform outside their house when she saw the fire at the roof of her mother's hut.
Her aunt, Juliana Auma, who was at their home, said despite the quick response from the residents, nothing could be salvaged as the inferno was too much to be handled by them.
Speaking to journalists, Otada said he was in Siaya town where he operates a matatu business when he was informed of the incident.
"I rushed home only to realise that it was not only one
hut that was destroyed, but all six belonging to my wives," he said.
Otada described the inferno as mysterious, adding that there were no people in the huts during the incident.
Residents said this was the first time such a mysterious fire was witnessed in the area.
Confirming the incident, Siaya county Administration Police Commander, Patrick Lumumba said no life was lost in the fire and investigations have been launched into the incident.