Over 15 families left in the cold as fire razes houses in Maua
Residents of Annex Estate in Maua Town, Meru County watch helplessly as fire burns timber houses on May 31, 2016. Over 15 families were left in the cold as a result of the fire. A county fire engine broke down as soon as it arrived at the scene. PHOTO | DICKSON MWITI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- It took the intervention of one man who braved the fire and thick smoke from one of the houses to rescue the boy.
- A fire engine arrived at the scene on time but developed mechanical problems before firefighters could put out the fire.
- This forced residents who had flocked at the scene to use buckets and basins to fetch water and put out the fire.
- Residents have blamed the County government for failing to repair the fire truck.
A boy was dramatically rescued after 15 timber houses caught fire at Annex Estate in Maua Town, Meru County on Tuesday evening.
It took the intervention of one man who braved the fire and thick smoke from one of the houses to rescue the boy.
More than 15 families were left in the cold following the fire whose cause could not be immediately established.
It is believed that the fire started in one of the houses and spread quickly to adjacent structures.
A fire engine arrived at the scene on time but developed mechanical problems before firefighters could put out the fire.
This forced residents who had flocked at the scene to use buckets and basins to fetch water and put out the fire.
BLAMED COUNTY GOVT
Residents have blamed the County government for failing to repair the fire truck.
“It is sad to see all the houses being burnt down and property destroyed while the fire engine cannot help much due to mechanical faults.
“The owners of the houses pay cess to the county government and they should receive proper services when in need,” said James Kobia, a resident.
Ms Julia Muthoni, whose house was burnt down, said she lost important documents in the fire.
At the same time, a man escaped death by a whisker after he was attacked by an angry mob as he tried to loot from some of the affected houses.
Police officers who had arrived at the scene arrested him and took him to Maua Police Station.
