Girl dies as fire burns business premises in Nyandarua

A 15-year-old girl has died in a fire that burnt 24 business premises and residential houses at Tumaini market in Mirangine Sub-County, Nyandarua County.
Residents suspect that the fire was an act of arson instigated by business rivalry between local traders.
“I smelt something like petrol with some footsteps running at the back of the house before the fire started. This is a second fire incident in less than two months targeting the timber houses,” said a resident, Milka Wambui.
Another neighbour who declined to be named said traders in permanent houses are losing business to those in mushrooming timber houses constructed by newcomers to the area.
“Tenants are vacating the permanent houses and moving to the newly constructed timber houses which are cheaper; we suspect business rivalry,” said the witness.
ARSON
The owner of the burnt houses, Ms Njoki Macharia, did not rule out arson.
“On Friday, I completed constructing six additional houses and the tenants were there waiting. I suspect this is arson. I appeal to the police to conduct proper investigations,” said Ms Macharia who put the value of the timber houses at more than Sh1 million.
Tumaini Location Chief Wachira Kibira said Beatrice Waithera, the 15-year-old girl who perished in the fire, was physically and mentally challenged.
Among the burnt business premises were general shops, a salon and a cereal shop, said the chief.
National Youth Service recruits based at the Tumaini camp and workers of a local roads construction company took about one hour to contain the fire that started a few minutes to 8pm Monday.
FIREFIGHTERS
There was drama as the angry residents chased away the county firefighters who arrived two hours after the fire had been contained.
Heavily armed police officers had a hard time restraining the angry residents from attacking the firefighters.
“We called you soon after the fire started but you ignored our calls. We do not need you here,” shouted a resident.
Ol Kalou Ward Administrator Peter Mungai had a hard time explaining the delay but confirmed that he received the first call at 8.08pm and immediately alerted the fire department stationed in Ol Kalou town, about 8 kilometres from the scene.
Mr Mungai, who received the call while at his Nakuru home about 50 kilometres away, arrived a few minutes before the firefighters.
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