Dozens of businesses at Masosa area in Kisii were on Thursday dawn razed down with losses estimated to run into millions of shillings.
An eatery, salon shops and motor spare part kiosks were reduced to ashes.
Motor vehicle repair sheds were also burnt down in the fire suspected to had been sparked by an electric fault.
Eric Ongeri, Kisii County Culture and Youth Executive who was at the scene said the fire broke out around 3am before it was put out.
He told the Star that the county is yet to determine the number of businesses affected by the inferno.
"We had been concentrating on efforts to quench the raging flames, it is after this we will try to get the exact number of those affected," Ongeri said.
Samson Ochaki alias Gechuki, one of the traders said he received a call about the fire at about 3am in the morning.
He owns a battery charging shop that was razed down.
" I lost everything amounting close to Sh150, 000, ", he said.
Boniface Sunda, a wielder said it was by chance street children who stay nearby pulled the gas cylinders that were at his kiosk.
" It was a stroke of luck otherwise the entire residential site could have been reduced to ash and possibly cause even deaths," stated Sunda.
At first, the fire engine from Kisii responded with insufficient water, forcing an intervention from Neighbouring Nyamira County.
The traders urged the government to bail them out following the loss.