Huge fire burns over 60 houses, shops in Lokichoggio

A huge fire has erupted in Lochor Ekaal Village on the outskirts of Lokichoggio town, Turkana County, burning down more than 60 houses and shops.

This comes just a week after 283 families were left homeless by another huge fire in Kibish near the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Lokichoggio Location Chief Daniel Kakure said the fire, which broke out at around 1pm, started from one of the houses where there was a domestic quarrel.

"After a disagreement, owners of the grass-thatched house went away. The fire then spread to other houses," Mr Kakure said.

HUGE SMOKE

He said that smoke billowing from the burning houses attracted Kenya Airports Authority firefighters who responded quickly.

Residents also brought down some houses to prevent the fire from spreading further and also to enable the fire engine to easily access the burning houses.

Chief Kakure said no casualty was reported as many residents had left their homes to engage in their daily activities.

While calling for humanitarian aid and shelter for the affected victims, he urged other residents to accommodate those affected until they are fully resettled.

DISASTER COMMITTEES

A resident, Mr Daniel Aristotle, called on both the county and national governments to establish a disaster preparedness and management committee in each ward.

"Turkana is experiencing recurring fire incidents. The committee will be better placed to create awareness on possible disasters within the wards and give suggestions on how to avert them," Mr Aristotle said.

Turkana county government is already resettling victims of the Kibish fire on at least 170 plots.

County Disaster Management Executive Esther Lokwei blamed the huge losses resulting from the fire incident on the closely built houses.