At least five people 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 authorities, the victims include three adults and two children. Four others sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Nairobi police boss George Sedah confirmed the incident, stating that the fire erupted around 2:00 a.m., originating from a single iron-sheet house before spreading rapidly to adjacent structures.
“We understand the victims were asleep when the fire broke out, killing five of them. Four others are in hospital with serious injuries,” Sedah said.
Extent of Damage
The blaze, which destroyed eight homes and two churches, overwhelmed the community before firefighters could fully contain it. Although five fire engines were dispatched to the scene, the narrow and congested pathways of the slum made access difficult, delaying emergency response and increasing the scale of destruction.
Local residents and volunteers joined the firefighting efforts, but the fire had already consumed much of the area by the time it was extinguished.
Emergency Response and Investigations
The injured were rushed to a nearby Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) facility for specialized treatment. Authorities have yet to establish the cause of the fire but have launched investigations into the incident.
