Fire ravages at least 70 houses in Mathare slums

Residents said lack of water in the area hindered them from helping to put out the fire quickly.

In Summary
  • Residents suspect that an electric malfunction was the cause of the fire.
  • Most of the house owners were not around the area as most were at work.

Fire has razed parts of Mathare Slums in the Moradi area destroying nearly 70 houses on Monday at 11am. https://bit.ly/3Q16yyR

Residents of Moradi area in Mathare slums try to salvage items from the fire that burnt down over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Residents of Moradi area in Mathare slums try to salvage items from the fire that burnt down over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Image: TEDDY MULEI

Fire razed parts of Mathare Slums in the Moradi area destroying nearly 70 houses on Monday at 11 am. 

According to the residents, they suspect an electric malfunction was the cause of the fire that burnt down one house before spreading to the other houses.

The residents and onlookers tried to put out the fire before the fire department arrived but cited that lack of water in the area hindered them from putting out the fire quickly.

Most of the house owners were not around the area as most were at work and some have not yet been informed of the fire.

Property destroyed during the fire that destroyed over 70 houses in Moradi area of Mathare on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Property destroyed during the fire that destroyed over 70 houses in Moradi area of Mathare on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
Residents of Moradi area in Mathare trying to salvage items after a fire burnt down over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Residents of Moradi area in Mathare trying to salvage items after a fire burnt down over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Image: TEDDY MULEI

There have been no casualties reported yet as the residents try to salvage items that have not been burnt by the fire.

The Kenya Red Cross Action Team (RCAT) arrived at the scene to help any casualties that may have been affected by the fire.

The area chief is working alongside the ward representatives to calculate the number of people who have been rendered homeless.

Burnt jerrycans after a fire broke out in Moradi area of Mathare, Nairobi destroying over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Burnt jerrycans after a fire broke out in Moradi area of Mathare, Nairobi destroying over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
Over 70 houses burnt down in Moradi area of Mathare after a fire broke out in one house at 11am and spread to the rest on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Over 70 houses burnt down in Moradi area of Mathare after a fire broke out in one house at 11am and spread to the rest on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
House owners trying to salvage items that were not detroyed when a fire broke out in Moradi area of Mathare on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
House owners trying to salvage items that were not detroyed when a fire broke out in Moradi area of Mathare on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
Residents of Moradi area in Mathare, Nairobi salvage iron sheets from the destroyed houses after a fire broke out at 11am destroying over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Residents of Moradi area in Mathare, Nairobi salvage iron sheets from the destroyed houses after a fire broke out at 11am destroying over 70 houses on Thursday, September 25, 2023.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
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