A child died after a house fire in Kiria-Imenti in Meru county. The mother had left the child in the house sleeping and gone to boil water in her mother-in-law’s kitchen which is located in another house.
According to John Muriithi Mburugu, Chief of Kiria location, when the mother returned, she discovered the house had caught fire while the child was sleeping in the bedroom.
“Residents were able to put out the fire, but the child received severe burns. We took her to the Nkubu and Kanyakine hospitals, but she was unable to be treated. We took her to Meru Level 5 hospital, and her reports indicated that veins could be found.
“We were transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was treated but died at 4:00 a.m. Firefighters responded quickly and were able to extinguish the fire, which had spread to the neighbor.
“Residents had also attempted to put it out with banana leaves before firefighters arrived, but were unable to do so. Erick Muthomi, the owner, has lost more than Ksh 500,000. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated,” he said.
Rose Kimathi, a resident, said that on the evening of April 16, the house caught fire and firefighters arrived when the fire was about to go off. She encouraged well-wishers to come out and assist the bereaved family so that they can be relieved when they return home.
The child’s grandfather stated that the family had spent the day at a resident’s party. He said that the mother’s sister had brought them milk at 6:00 p.m. prior to the evening incident.
“They don’t cook at their house, so she came to my kitchen to make tea. I implore the government to assist them because they are being housed by neighbors,” he said.
