Some 63 residents of Soweto Ward in Nairobi’s Embakasi East Constituency were left homeless after a night fire.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino in a statement on Wednesday, February 7, said the fire burned down houses and valuables belonging to the affected residents.
“Another sad day in Soweto ward, Embakasi East as 63 Residents are left homeless after fire burned down their Houses and other valuables last night. Please Pray for Embakasi East,” Babu Owino wrote in a statement.
The cause of the fire was not established by the time of this publication.
Photos shared from the scene showed the extent of the damage caused by the incident where the houses made of iron sheets were flattened by the razing fire.
The fire added to the list of fire incidents reported in Nairobi and came days after a tragic fire caused by a gas explosion in the Mradi area.
Fire incidents in Nairobi
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Six people died from the burns sustained in the residents while scores of people sustained different degrees of burn injuries.
In late January, a fire razed down business stalls at the City Stadium area leaving traders counting losses.
On Tuesday, February 6, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the inferno.
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Among them, DCI reported, was Derrick Kimathi who is the owner of the yard where the explosion happened.
DCI also asked for assistance from members of the public to trace three other wanted suspects including officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Whilst the causes of fire vary poor urban planning and irregular approval of settlement
has emerged as one of the leadings factors of increasing fires in the city.
