Grief and disbelief have engulfed the residents of Brigadier Market in Tongaren Constituency, Bungoma County, following a devastating fire that claimed the lives of three family members late Tuesday night.
According to witnesses, the inferno broke out in the middle of the night, swiftly engulfing the family’s wooden house before neighbours could mount a successful rescue. By the time help arrived, the flames had consumed the entire structure, leaving behind nothing but charred debris and deep sorrow in the community.
The victims of the tragedy have been identified as a middle-aged man, his wife, and their young grandson. The family was reportedly asleep when the fire erupted, trapping them inside. Despite desperate efforts from neighbours to put out the flames using water and sand, the blaze proved too intense. The three were burnt beyond recognition.
Residents described the incident as one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies to strike the area in recent years. “It’s painful beyond words. Losing three members of the same family at once is something we can’t comprehend,” said a family representative. The community has been gathering at the site to console the bereaved relatives and offer assistance as they come to terms with their loss.
Local authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest that it may have originated from an electrical fault or a cooking stove left unattended, though detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have yet to make an official statement.
Security officials have urged residents to be vigilant and ensure their homes meet basic fire safety standards. They also called for calm as investigations continue. The bodies of the deceased were moved to the Wamalwa Kijana Hospital mortuary in Trans Nzoia County pending postmortem examinations and funeral arrangements.
The tragedy has sparked discussions on the need for improved disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms in rural areas, where fires often spread quickly due to the close proximity of houses and lack of firefighting equipment.
As the community mourns, calls are growing for authorities to support the affected family and provide counselling services to help them cope with the immense loss. The memories of the deceased, loved and respected by neighbours, will continue to linger in the hearts of many.
