Shanties razed in Nairobi's Mathare slum fire
Residents of Muoroto in Nairobi's Mathare slum try to salvage their belongings after a fire broke out, razing scores of shanties. JENNIFER MUIRURI
About 50 shanties have been razed down by fire in Nairobi’s Mathare slums.
The cause of the fire that is reported to have began a few minutes after 1pm Saturday is not yet established. Residents, however, say that they suspect the fire to have been caused by an electric fault.
No casualties have been reported from the inferno which is yet to be completely put out. Area OCPD Samuel Anampiu said police had not received any reports of casualties.
“We will however wait until everyone returns in the evening before we can confirm that no one has died as a result of the fire,” he said.
The area was still smouldering more than two hours later the fire began. Residents were trying to put out the flames manually even as it continued to spread.
There were no firefighters in the area.
