The scene of the fire incident in Kitengela.
As traders count losses, the value of property razed in the Kitengela fire incident
on Friday evening is yet to be established, Isinya Subcounty Police Commander
Simon Lokitari has said.
Lokitari said the fire burnt a storey building constructed
using a container, with mabati structures on top during the incident.
The razed structures were located along the Nairobi–Namanga
Road within Kitengela Township, Kajiado County.
The police boss said the incident was reported to Kitengela
Police Station by one of the victims, a trader in the razed commercial
establishment.
"The incident was reported to the Kitengela Police
Station by one of the affected business owners in the razed commercial
establishment. She reported that there was a fire burning the premises,"
Lokitari told The Star by phone on Saturday.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 7:00 p.m.
He said police officers from the said station were
immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving the report.
"Our officers found the fire brigade at the scene when
they arrived. Both the police and the brigade from the County Government of
Kajiado, with the support of members of the public, contained the fire,"
Lokitari said.
The affected victims, together with members of the public, were at the scene of the incident when The Star visited early Saturday.
All the structures on the container were completely razed,
while some shops inside the container had a few items partially burnt.
Shocked victims stood in awe outside what used to be their
shops and the only source of livelihood for some.
Lokitari stated that it was established that the story building made from a container belonged to one Grace Mutitika and had six rooms.
He said the fire reportedly started from one of the
businesses, a salon located on top of the container. There was also a
barbershop next to the salon.
In the container, Lokitari said there was a hardware store
and other shops trading in an assortment of household items.
"The fire started at the salon, which is located on the first floor, and spread to the other shops. It destroyed property of unknown value and items that have yet to be established. The owners should identify items that have been destroyed," Lokitari said.
The police boss said that scenes of crime personnel processed and
documented the scene.
A fire inquest to establish the cause of the fire has been
opened.
In a second fire incident within the same Kitengela, Kajiado
County, a woman’s premises were razed early Saturday.
Lokitari said the incident was reported to the Kitengela
Police Station at 6:30 a.m.
He said the 65-year-old resident of Nonkopir Trading Centre,
located on the outskirts of Kitengela town, reported that there was a fire
incident on her premises.
"Neighbours responded to the woman’s distress call and
helped salvage some of her belongings. Property, including sofa sets, mattresses, and other items worth Sh50,000, were razed. The cause of the fire
wasn't established. There were no deaths or injuries in both incidents,"
Lokitari said.
