Isiolo: Two children die as fire razes 20 houses in Bulapesa

A sombre atmosphere has settled over Mabatini Village in Bulapesa Ward, Isiolo County, following the tragic loss of two young children in a fire that engulfed their home and 20 other residences on Friday afternoon. The victims, aged four and two-and-a-half years, perished while inside the house when the inferno started. According to locals, the children's mother had reportedly left them unattended in the house before heading off to work.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities, including security forces and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), are conducting an investigation to determine its origin.

Bula Kati (A) Area Manager Wario Elgoi expressed deep shock among the community and appealed to parents and guardians to refrain from leaving young children unattended or locked inside dwellings. Many families who were at work when the fire broke out returned to find their homes reduced to ashes, with personal belongings, clothes, and essential items destroyed. Everlyne Kendi, one of the affected tenants, called upon well-wishers, government agencies, and members of the public to provide support to the families in need.

Residents have urged the Isiolo County Government to expand the number of operational firefighting engines and ensure they are strategically positioned to respond swiftly to emergencies throughout the county. They expressed frustration over what they perceived as inadequate and sluggish responses to fire incidents and implored the Isiolo County Government to increase the number of functional firefighting engines.

As families grapple with their loss, residents are urgently seeking humanitarian assistance and enhanced emergency response services to avert similar catastrophes in the future.