Barely a week after four houses and business premises were burnt in Nairobi’s Mukuru-Hazina slums, another 46 were on Monday night reduced to ashes in the same area.
Makadara sub-county Administration Police boss John Macharia said the cause of the fire was yet to be established.
The slum chairman, David Kiarie said the fire started from one room at around 1am after three youths sharing the room differed.
“The youth fled as soon as the fire broke out without raising alarm,” Mr Kiarie said on Tuesday.
In the earlier incident, Boniface Ndungi, 44, said the fire started at a neighbouring shop before spreading to his kiosk.
Another victim, Mr Dennis Ondiek said he was watching television when suddenly smoke engulfed his entire house.
“I was watching television when smoke suddenly engulfed my house, fortunately, I managed to save my two children,” he said.
In both cases, youths used tap water to put out the fire. However, looters, who posed as good Samaritans, took advantage of the situation.
Fire engines could not access the scene due to encroachment on access roads.