Property of unknown value was Sunday night destroyed after fire engulfed a supermarket in Murang’a town.
The fire that started at around 11 pm reduced all property in Mathai Supermarket into ashes despite efforts by firefighters to contain the raging inferno.
The cause of the fire believed to have started on the second floor of the supermarket located at the centre of Murang’a town is yet to be established.
Members of Murang’a county disaster management committee, who arrived at the scene a few minutes after the fire started, mobilized local residents and firefighting equipment from neighbouring counties of Kiambu and Kirinyaga in efforts to put it off.
It took firefighters more than eight hours to contain the inferno but unfortunately nothing was salvaged from the supermarket.
Firefighters attributed closed entrances into the building as the main challenge to contain the fire within shortest period as they could not access the supermarket.
The County Police Commander, Josphat Kinyua mobilized the officers who took initial steps to put off the fire.
Kinyua said police officers arrived at the scene immediately and started putting off the inferno.
He noted that the cause of the fire is yet to be established, saying police would carry out thorough investigations to establish the cause.
The Murang’a Governor, Mwangi wa Iria speaking when he arrived at the scene lauded the security officers for averting the fire from spreading to other buildings.
Mwangi termed the incident as unfortunate considering the huge investment.
“We are aware the fire has caused a lot of destruction but we also thank God that no one has lost his or her life in the incident,” said Mwangi.
The disaster has left Murang’a town residents with only one supermarket to shop from.
The fire incident is the second to hit Mathai Supermarket after its Ruiru outlet was gutted down by inferno two weeks ago.
By Bernard Munyao
