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Tragic blaze claims lives of two young children in Kitui Village, Pumwani Ward

By Abdirahman Khalif | 02 May 2024

Neighbours were quick to notice the billowing smoke emanating from the house and started fighting the fire.

On Thursday, a horrific fire raced through homes in the Digo area, Kitui village, Pumwani Ward, killing two innocent children.

The victims, identified as Mweni Charles, aged five, and Denis Charles, just two and a half years old, tragically lost their lives in the early morning fire.

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According to reports, the fire broke out shortly after the children's mother left for work around 6:30 am.

It is believed that a candle left unattended by the mother inadvertently started the deadly inferno, engulfing the home within minutes.

Neighbours were quick to notice the billowing smoke emanating from the house and started fighting the fire.

Sofia Rashid who was among the first to respond said she saw smoke at first and thought a neighbour was cooking until she was alerted by a child.

Recounting the harrowing ordeal Sofia said, "I saw smoke and I thought it was normal until another kid informed me of the fire."

"My efforts to rescue the trapped children were thwarted by the intense flames and thick smoke," she added.

Tragic early morning fire claims lives of two children in Digo Area, Pumwani Ward. Photo: Kevin Thuo

David Kangethe, an eyewitness, said the two children were sleeping when the fire started. He claimed he arrived to save the children, but it was difficult due to the amount of smoke flowing from the house.

"I tried saving the two children but the smoke made it impossible," noted David.

Despite their efforts, they could not reach the children in time to spare them from the ravages of the fire.

Despite timely notification to emergency services, including Nairobi firefighters, the fire spread quickly and claimed the lives of the two children in addition to the residence.

When the distraught and frightened mother of the two learned of the tragic news later, she hurried her children's corpses to the city mortuary with the assistance of others.

It is not the first time fire has ravaged houses in Kitui village. Last month fire razed 50 homes leaving several families homeless.

The tragedy left them without shelter and essential belongings, including food, as most of their possessions were consumed by the flames