A 4-year-old boy was burnt to death following a fire that broke out in a rental house at Ndeda Island in Bondo sub-county this morning.
The boy, Master Zedrick Ogutu was in the house together with his mother Glorious Awuor when the fire broke out at around 3.00 am.
According to Siaya County Police commander Cleti Kimaiyo, the matter was reported to Bondo police station by the Assistant Chief of Uyawi sub-location Patrick Gimona.
He stated that police officers visited the scene and established that at about 3.00 am, the fire started in the rented house of Vitalis Ogutu who was out fishing in Lake Victoria and by then his wife and son were all alone in the house.
Kimaiyo stated that during the ill-fated incident, the wife Glorious Awuor sustained burns on the arms and lower limbs as she tried to rescue her son who unfortunately succumbed.
The County police boss revealed that property worth an unknown value including a motorcycle, gas cylinder, one boat engine and household items were destroyed.
He stated that the cause of fire is suspected to be a fault in a solar battery that has been installed in the house.
The woman was taken for treatment at Ndeda Island dispensary while the body of the juvenile has been removed to Bondo sub-county hospital mortuary to await postmortem.
Elsewhere, in Kirinyaga County, a 36-year-old man died after a fire incident at Kathare village in Karumandi ward, Gichugu Constituency.
According to the residents, the fire broke out on Saturday night where Edwin Mwendia was burnt beyond recognition.
According to David Muthike, Mwendia has lived in a separate house with his twin brother since their parents died two years ago.
Residents said the fierce fire gutted his wooden house before his remains were pulled out after police officers arrived at the scene when the alarm was raised.
Gichugu sub-county police commander Johnson Wachira said police have launched an investigation into the matter as the body was taken to the mortuary.’
“We have not yet established the exact cause of the fire but we have taken the remains to Kibugi funeral home Kutus waiting postmortem,” the police boss said.
