Couple and their three children die in Kipipiri house fire

A file photo of shops going up in flames at Miharati Centre in Kipipiri, Nyandarua County. In Kipipiri early on January 8, 2018, five family members died in a house fire. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUKINYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Five family members perished in a house fire at Geta Market in Kipipiri, Nyandarua County, early Tuesday morning.

The victims were a man, his 35-year-old wife, their son aged 12, nine-year-old daughter and three-month-old baby.

Kipipiri divisional police commander Charles Rotich told the Nation that the timber house was razed from about 3.30am as the five slept.

He said neighbours rushed to the scene after hearing noises and managed to put it out.

“But the whole family had perished by that time,” he said.

“We are yet to establish the cause of the fire but have commenced investigations," he also said, adding the house lacked electricity supply.

The bodies were taken to JM Memorial Hospital mortuary.