Traders in Doldol town, Laikipia North Sub County, were left counting losses totaling millions of shillings after their property was destroyed by a fire whose cause remains mysterious.
Due to lack of fire engines in the area, the 10 p.m. inferno reduced to ashes seven major retail shops as residents watched helplessly.
Laikipia North Deputy County Commissioner Benard Odino, confirming the incident, said that the cause of the fire was not immediately established. He noted that it destroyed one block that had wooden structures before it was contained.
The DCC said they were investigating to establish the cause of the inferno.
Traders said they suffered huge losses amid the harsh economic times currently coupled with the prevailing dry weather.
Laikipia North One More Day for Children Safe House director Ms. Helen Gathogo termed the incident unfortunate and a wakeup call for the county government to install fire stations and to set water bowsers on standby to prevent such calamities in the future.
“It’s sad; women and children are suffering. People watched helplessly as the fire spread. Businesses have been lost, but I thank God no casualty was reported,” said Ms. Gathogo.
Ms. Gahogo noted that, at the time of the incident, the majority of people were in their houses since the area is under a dusk-to-dawn curfew as directed by the government due to the banditry menace in Laikipia North.
She further urged well-wishers to support the affected victims to restart their lives and, at the same time, encouraged the county government to train residents on fire control methods. She lamented that if they had known how to quench the fire, they would have salvaged the situation.
By Muturi Mwangi
