Property destroyed as dawn fire burns 18 houses in Meru

Property estimated to be worth millions of shillings was Monday morning destroyed when fire broke out at Muriri in Meru County.

About 18 traders and business owners suffered huge losses following the inferno that burnt down shops, residential houses, hotels and canteens at around 2.00am.

When Nation.co.ke arrived, some of the affected residents were still in a state of shock.

Fire fighters from Meru Town arrived at the scene two hours after the fire started and were chased away by irate residents.

Mrs Ruth Thribuwa, who lives near the scene of the fire, said she was woken up by screams and rushed out of her house and saw thick smoke billowing from the shops.

“The whole area was engulfed in smoke.

“Those who tried to salvage their property were unable owing to the intensity of the fire that gutted down all the timber structures,” Mrs Thirubwa said.

CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN

Another resident, Mr Raphael Kobia, whose shoe shop was burnt down, said he was called and informed that his premises was on fire.

“The cause is unknown at this moment but we are confident investigations by the police will unravel it.

“I am also pleading with well-wishers to come to our aid and help us restart the main source of our livelihoods,” said Mr Kobia.

Muthara MCA Andrew Kobia asked the county government to set aside funds to purchase a new truck for fire fighters to be based at the Tigania headquarters.

The ward rep said many incidents which have led to loss of property have been reported in Tigania East and West headquarters.

“The only fire trucks that respond to such incidents are based in Meru and Maua which are far-flung. We need one that will be permanently based here,” he said.

He thanked the members of the public who rushed to the scene before the fire fighters arrived to try put out the fire.