Several families in Mlolongo were left homeless after a fire engulfed their rented mabati houses on Tuesday evening. The cause of the fire is yet to be established, but affected residents lost all their personal belongings in the blaze.
According to Athi River East Subcounty police commander Anderson Mbae, the fire broke out in the Musau Road area of Mlolongo Township and was reported to Mlolongo Police Station as a fire incident at 8:47 p.m.
“It was reported by a member of the public through a phone call that there was a fire incident within Musau Road area of Mlolongo Township,” Mbae said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
The caretaker of the houses arrived at the scene after receiving a call from the landlord, only to find the houses already engulfed in flames. Local residents quickly mobilized efforts to put out the fire, but six mabati residential houses and household property of unknown value were completely destroyed.
Despite the destruction, no casualties were reported. Mbae confirmed that police officers processed the scene, and investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
In a separate incident on the same night, another fire broke out in Athi River South Subcounty, within Machakos County. The fire was reported to Kyumbi Police Station at 9:34 p.m.
According to police, the blaze erupted at Kwa Mwambi Ranch, located about four kilometers south of the station, and razed approximately three acres of grassland.
“Police rushed to the scene and, with the help of the public, managed to put out the fire before the Fire Brigade team arrived. No life was lost, and the cause of the fire is not yet known,” a police report indicated.
Both fire incidents occurred within a short time frame on Tuesday night, prompting police to intensify investigations into possible causes. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that might lead to fire outbreaks.
The affected families in Mlolongo now face uncertainty as they seek alternative shelter and support. Local leaders and humanitarian organizations are expected to step in to assist the displaced victims in the coming days.
