Man, 50, burnt beyond recognition in night house fire

A 50-year-old man died on Sunday night after a fierce fire gutted down his house in the night at Andama village in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.

Stephen Ng’ang’a, a father of three is said to have been all alone in bed when the house caught fire around 10pm.

Confirming the incident, area Chief Ann Wambui said that the man who was severely burnt had suffered stroke and could not evacuate himself from the burning house.

“The fire was reported at around 10pm. The man was partially paralyzed and could not escape from the burning house. He was burnt beyond recognition and succumbed,” said Chief Wambui.

Simon Ngige, a neighbour said that the deceased’s wife Annastacia and two of their children were preparing supper for the family in the kitchen separate from the main house when the fire broke out.

“Ng’anga had been left in the main house as the rest of the family prepared their meals. His wife noticed the fire as she left the kitchen to serve her husband. She immediately called for help,” said Ngige.

The residents who also noticed the house which was already in flames responded but their attempts to rescue the man and his property were futile.

“The fire had already spread through two of the rooms. The man was in the bedroom where the fire is said to have started and were unable to save him. Very little was salvaged from the timber house,” said Ngige.

Chief Wambui said that the incident cut shot the family plans to have him attended to at a local hospital on Monday as his health was deteriorating.

“Ng’ang’a was a popular veterinary officer in the village and since he suffered a stroke in August last year it has been a blow to the farmers. The family intended to have him taken to hospital today but the fire tragedy struck hours earlier,” said Wambui.

She added that preliminary investigations indicated that the cause of fire might have been a kerosene lamp which was being used to light the house when the incident occurred.

“Investigations on the cause of the fire have been launched but we suspect that it might have been triggered by a lantern which was burning in the room. It might have accidentally collapsed on combustible materials,” she said.

The body of the deceased was taken to Eldama Ravine Sub County Hospital mortuary.

Fire incidents in the sub county have been on the rise in the recent past and the residents have called on the county government to consider stationing a fire engine there for quick response.