Parliament's sauna closed after fire scare

"Parliament would like to clarify the fire was as a result of failed electronic fire temperature controller. Consequently, the sauna has been closed temporarily as our engineers rectify the controller," he said PHOTO: COURTESY

MPs' sauna has been closed after a fire incident on Wednesday caused a major scare.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said the incident happened at 4.30 pm at Continental House which houses MPs' offices.

Muturi said the fire was detected at a small part of the wooden sauna roof in the basement. The county fire department was alerted and the fire was contained before it spread.

"Parliament would like to clarify the fire was as a result of failed electronic fire temperature controller. Consequently, the sauna has been closed temporarily as our engineers rectify the controller," he said.

He said the situation at the health club is safe. There were a number of MPs within the club and building at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people were left homeless at a slum near Shauri Moyo estate after a fire destroyed 832 structures.

The fire was contained by several fire engines. But by then, it had already destroyed many structures.

Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome said they are yet to know the cause of the fire and that investigations had been launched.

Residents said they lost their valuables and urged for help to reconstruct the structures.

In Mathare slums, a man was killed in a fire incident. The man was in the house when the fire broke out on Wednesday evening. Several structures were also destroyed. Police said they found the body long after the fire had been contained.

And in Kamkunji, a cook was burnt and seriously injured by his colleagues in a fight at a restaurant. The victim was splashed with boiled cooking oil. Police say they are looking for attackers of Isaack Otieno.