Fire destroys property

A fierce fire destroyed property of unknown value at Mwendantu area of Meru town after nine semi permanent houses were razed. Imenti North police boss James Kithuka said the cause of the fire has not been established.

"The inferno started at around 7.30pm and police have already launched investigations into the incident in order to establish the cause of the fire," he said. He said nobody was injured during the incident in which nothing was salvaged. He said more than 30 people including school children spent the night in the cold.

He said the fire spread quickly because it was being aided by the strong wind blowing at the time, dry timber and the old oil which was recently applied to the walls. "The Meru Municipal Council Fire brigade promptly responded to the distress calls from the victims and managed to contain the fire before it spread to the neighboring houses," said Kithuka.

Those who lost property were also added by the Kenya Red Cross and business people from Meru who provided them with blankets, foodstuffs, mosquito nets and few clothes to help them reestablish their lives.