Angry residents chase away Nakuru firefighters for responding late

The three-bedroomed house razed by fire on February 16, 2020, at Baraka Estate in Kiamunyi, Nakuru. [Harun Wathari]

Residents of Baraka Estate in Nakuru town on Sunday evening chased away a fire engine that had responded late to a fire incident.

No injuries were reported.

The angry residents confronted the firefighters from the county government for arriving after the three-bedroom house was razed.

The fire started in the children's bedroom and spread fast to the rest of the house.

Homeowner June Miningwu said, “I tried to put it out using a fire extinguisher but I was overwhelmed and we had to leave the house.”

She added that the neighbours tried to put out the fire but could not save much.

The firefighters fled as the public gathered at the home.

Miningwu said the fire engine arrived two hours after they were called.

An engine from Lanet arrived at Baraka in Kiamunyi faster than the county firefighters, Miningwu added.

“The house had already burnt to the ground. They came as we were rummaging through the burnt debris,” she said.

“The county engine is not helpful. We don't understand why it exists."

Neighbour Charles Mathenge said he was called from Lanet area and decided to look for a water bowser to assist.

“The fire engine supposed to help the people of Nakuru is indisposed. We had to wait, and if it were not for the neighbours, everything would be ashes,” he said.

Neighbour Justus Ogeto said he had to push two vehicles out of the compound as nobody was around.

Engineer John Okioga, also a neighbour, said the firefighters had promised to arrive in 20 minutes but instead took two hours.