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At least five people lost their lives in a devastating fire that broke out early Monday morning in the Mathare slums of Nairobi.
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According to police and local residents, four others sustained serious injuries in the blaze, which erupted around 2:00 a.m. in the Mathare B area on May 19.
The fire, which destroyed several homes and left dozens homeless, was eventually contained with the help of fire engines from the Nairobi County Government and the military.
Nairobi police commander George Sedah confirmed that at least eight homes were completely destroyed in the fire. He said the blaze is believed to have started in one iron-sheet dwelling before rapidly spreading to neighboring structures.
“The victims were reportedly asleep when the fire broke out. Five died at the scene, and four others are currently hospitalized with serious burns,” Sedah said.
Two nearby churches were also destroyed in the incident.
Authorities confirmed that the deceased included three adults and two children. The injured were taken to a local Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital for treatment.
By Monday morning, smoke continued to rise from the charred remains of the affected area as some families began efforts to rebuild.
The bodies have been transferred to the mortuary as investigations into the fire’s cause continue.
This tragedy is the latest in a series of fire outbreaks in informal settlements, with emergency responders once again raising concerns over the lack of proper access roads, which they say hampers firefighting efforts and leads to unnecessary loss of life and property.
