Five people, including three adults and two children, have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a devastating fire that broke out early Monday morning in the Mathare B slums of Nairobi.
According to Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Sedah, the fire erupted around 2:00 a.m. in a single iron-sheet dwelling before quickly spreading to surrounding structures.
“We understand the victims were asleep when the fire broke out, killing five of them. Four others are currently in hospital with serious injuries,” said Sedah.
The blaze razed down eight homes and two churches within minutes, as firefighters and volunteers raced to contain the inferno. Narrow alleyways and poor accessibility in the densely populated settlement severely hampered firefighting efforts, despite the deployment of five fire engines.
The injured were rushed to a nearby Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) facility for emergency care. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fire, which remains unknown.
This tragedy adds to a growing number of similar incidents in Nairobi’s informal settlements, once again highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure, especially access roads and fire safety measures.
The Mathare fire comes just a day after another blaze swept through Nairobi’s Gikomba Market at around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, destroying the shoe section and causing traders to suffer massive losses.
