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Help comes too late for man who burns to death in night fire
A shocked Limuru Assistant County Commissioner Clara Kahindi (right) after seeing the aftermath of the tragic fire. PHOTO | ANNE MACHARIA
What you need to know:
- A shocked Limuru Assistant County Commissioner, Clara Kahindi could not hold back her tears when she visited the scene.
- Neighbours said they had heard Mr Kagai shouting at night.
- But they thought it was normal behaviour as he was known to shout when he came home drunk.
- Mr Kagai was leaving alone as he has separated with his wife.
A man died after a fire razed his house in Mukuru, Kamirithu, in Limuru, Kiambu County.
It was later revealed that the man had tried to call for help when the fire started but no help came.
A shocked Limuru Assistant County Commissioner Clara Kahindi could not hold back her tears after she saw the body of Silas Kagai, 47, who was burnt to ashes in the night inferno.
Mr Kagai, who lived alone in a two-roomed makeshift house constructed using iron sheets, was burnt beyond recognition by the fire thought to have started at around midnight and which also burnt his belongings.
NEIGHBOURS HEARD SHOUTS
Neighbours said they heard the deceased shouting but thought it was his usual behaviour since he was known to make noise at night after returning home drunk.
Unfortunately, it turned out that this time he was calling for help but his calls went unanswered, resulting in his gruesome death and loss of property.
Mr Kagai’s mother, Zipporah Ngonyo, 79, and her now only surviving child, David Waweru, 26, were in shock after learning of the death and could not even speak with those who gathered at the home to console them.
Grace Njeri, a cousin of the deceased, said Mr Kagai had been a blessing to the family and his death had left a huge gap in their lives.
It was reported that the last time the deceased was seen alive, he was buying some food for his evening meal. He was living alone for years after separating with his wife.
LUMP OF ASHES
Assistant County Commissioner Clara Kahindi was unable to speak with the press about the fire tragedy after she saw the body of the deceased.
She apologised for being emotional after seeing the gruesome incident
Ms Kahindi was, however, briefed about the incident by Chief Inspector John Opiyo, who was in charge of investigating the incident.
It could not be immediately established what led to the fire, but police said they would continue their investigations.
PCEA Church Limuru deacon Benson Mangari went to the home of the deceased to console the family.
He said the family was in a lot of pain and needed encouragement from their friends and relatives in their loss.
The remains of Mr Kagai’s body were removed to the Uplands Mortuary.
