Three children died on Thursday morning when their house caught fire while they were asleep in the Rigena location, Nyamira County.
Masaba North Deputy County Commissioner Stella Wanyela confirmed the three minors aged between 4-12 years were asleep when the unfortunate incident happened.
“I received the first distress call from Babu, the bodaboda chairman in this subcounty, and immediately after Rigena location chief, Charles Okero, to inform me about the fire incident in his area of jurisdiction at around 1 am,” DCC Wanyela said.
“This incident is very shocking, and profound with a lifetime effect to the affected couple and family.”
Police and DCI officers have already started investigations to ascertain the main cause of the fire in the house.
“The house design is in the form of a one-storey building with the upper section where the children were sleeping made of wood and iron sheets. This is the section which caught fire while the parents slept on the ground floor which is a permanent structure,” Wanyela said.
She lauded the efforts made by residents to put out the fire in a bid to save the lives of the young ones saying the efforts were belated leading to the unfortunate incident.
Wanyela urged them to remain calm as investigations commenced to ascertain the real cause of the fire, which burnt the bodies of the children beyond recognition.
She condoled with the father of the deceased children who was hurt while trying to save his children from the fierce inferno.
Leaders from the region led by Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo sent condolence messages to the couple in great pain and agony terming the accident as tragic.
Gachuba Member of the County Assembly Henry Obwaya where the incident happened said it was hard to come to terms with the news of the fire accident.
“We appeal to the entire community to pray for this family, give them all the psychosocial support to be able to have closure following this tragedy,” Obwaya said.
The remains of the trio were taken to Gucha Hospital mortuary for autopsy and funeral arrangements.