Wamuzi News Ke
A huge fire occurred on Wednesday night and totally destroyed the staff residential quarters of the Githongo-Kamwene (GK) Prison situated in Meru County. Consequently, numerous families were left without shelter, properties were destroyed, and humanitarian concerns needing urgent attention arose, as the fire was one of the worst in the area this year.
The fire started around 9:30 p.m., and it quickly spread through the densely populated staff housing of the prison complex. The people living nearby and the first responders reported very sad situations where men, women, and kids were running away from their homes carrying only a few of their belongings.
Some people who saw the fire said that it went very high in a matter of minutes, burning through roofs and rooms before the firefighters managed to cordon off the whole area.
The firefighters from Meru County were called to the place, where they had to deal with very high temperatures and very thick smoke before they could eventually put the fire out after several hours.
The source of the fire is still not confirmed, but preliminary evaluations indicate that there was probably an electrical fault in one of the residential areas, which rapidly developed into a fire. Authorities warned that the precise cause will be revealed only following a forensic investigation.
The number of reportedly knocked down or severely damaged houses is over 30, which have rendered a large number of prison officers and their families dependent on the uncertain help of Meru’s cold night.
Among the people affected, some are telling stories of their escape from flames and smoke, while others are struggling for immediate shelter, clothing, and basic necessities.
The officials of Meru County, with the help of the County Commissioner’s office, have started to work on the emergency relief efforts, collaborating with both local leaders and humanitarian organizations in providing temporary shelters, blankets, food, and medical supplies.
The assessment of needs is going on rapidly to figure out the exact scale of loss and to prioritize the support for the residents affected.
The authorities of the prison expressed their shock at the destruction and at the same time promised help to the staff that are left homeless, and they also called for peace during the investigation.
The disaster has raised the issue of the safety standards in government housing facilities concerning both remote and high-density areas.
