Huge losses after fire burns down two resorts

A fire fighter inspects the grounds at Kenga Jama House after a fire destroyed a section of the resort on Monday. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard]

Two hoteliers in Casuarina area are counting their losses after a fire burnt down their premises.

The fire was alleged to have been caused by sparks outside one of the hotels that spread to the adjacent building.

The fire started in Kenga Jama House before spreading to Darado Cottages Resort less than 100 metres away.

According to the proprietor of Kenga Jama House, Nicola Mosca, the fire broke out at around 1pm on Monday when sparks from an electricity power line fell on the makuti roof of a nearby building. The fire spread rapidly.

The resort, which Ms Mosca said was valued at Sh84 million, has 33 rooms.

At the time of the fire it had 25 guests, 22 of them local residents.

The guests were in their rooms and at the swimming pool.

Fire service

The fire also gutted vehicles and a motorcycle that were parked near the gate. The Kilifi County fire department, which has a station in the town, took long to respond.

“We did not get immediate help and we had a hard time rescuing the guests,” said Mosca.

The fire fighters arrived after a large section of the resort had been destroyed. Ignas Mchana, the resort manager, said strong winds helped to stoke the fire.

When The Standard team arrived, the employees were trying to put out the fire using water from the swimming pool.

Mr Mchana said it was fortunate that there were few guests inside the resort when the fire broke out.

Mary Wanjiku, whose property is adjacent to Kenga Jama, said she secured her property after the fire spread to her roof.

“I thank the police and other security officers who helped to stop thieves who had started looting the hotels,” she said.

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