5 Killed In Mathare Slums Fire Incident

At least five people have died following a fire incident in Mathare slums, Nairobi County.

The deadly fire broke out on Monday, May 19, at around 2 AM in the Mathare B slums.

Nairobi Police Commander George Sedah confirmed the incident, saying the fire started from one of the iron sheet structures before it spread to the others.

According to Sedah, the victims, who include three adults and two children, were sleeping when the fire broke out and killed them.

“We understand the victims were sleeping when the fire broke out, killing five of them. Four others are in the hospital with serious injuries,” Sedah stated.

The blaze flattened at least eight iron sheet homes and two churches, leaving several families without shelter

The Nairobi police boss also noted four other locals sustained serious injuries during the fire and were taken to the local MSF hospital.

Fire engines from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and Nairobi County Government were deployed to the scene to contain the huge fire.

The bodies of the deceased were moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and other investigations.

The incident came barely a day after a major fire broke out in the Gikomba market, leaving traders counting their losses once again.

The fire erupted on Sunday morning at around 3.00 am and quickly spread through the footwear section adjacent to Lamu Road in Pumwani.

Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan confirmed the incident and noted that firefighters managed to contain the inferno.

“A massive fire erupted in the footwear section of Gikomba Market, adjacent to Lamu Road in Majengo in Pumwani at around 3 am. The county fire engine has arrived, and firefighters and local volunteers are battling to squash the inferno,” Yusuf said.