Fire guts down public market in Laikipia West

By James Munyeki

Laikipia, Kenya: Property worth thousands of shillings was lost after a fierce fire gutted a public market at Sipili in Laikipia West constituency.

The fire which started on Thursday night burnt over 20 stalls destroying foodstuffs and other household goods.

According to Ol Moran ward county representative Duncan Ndegwa, the fire started from one of the stalls and spread to the others.

“It became difficult for us to put it off as there was a strong wind blowing. It spread so fast to other wooden structures nearby,” he said.

Ndegwa noted that it took four hours for the residents to put it off and nothing was salvaged.

He noted that it was complicated that there was no source of water nearby.

Laikipia women MP Jane Apollos who visited the scene regretted that there was not a single fire-fighting equipment in the entire Laikipia County.

“It is a shame that even those in Nanyuki were grounded and we are facing an eminent danger. This is a matter that should be taken seriously,” she noted.

She called on the county government to set aside funds to purchase the equipments.

Area OCPD Francio Nyamatari who confirmed the incident said that the cause of the fire was not immediately established but investigation was ongoing.

No one was injured during the incident.