Homa bay: A section of the business community in Homa Bay town are counting losses after a fire burnt down merchandise in their shops in Homa Bay town. The fire, which was attributed to an electrical fault, burnt down assorted goods worth Sh8 million in four shops along Garage Road last night. The shops were housed on the ground floor of a storey permanent building that fortunately remained intact.
According to Kenya News Agency, witnesses said the incident occurred when electricity was restored after a blackout of about four hours. One trader, Elizabeth Akoth, explained how she got a call that her shop was burning. “I rushed to the scene and found my shop burning and was told that the fire sparked immediately electricity was restored,” Akoth said.
Another victim, Boniface Owino, said the fire had caused him immense suffering. Owino, who operates an eye clinic in the building, said he lost all items in his premise which included spectacles, equipment for making them, furniture, and other goods. “This is a serious loss. Personally, I have lost property worth more than Sh2 million. The approximate value of property lost in this incident is Sh8 million,” Owino said.
He expressed concerns that the firefighters from the county government did not respond in time to salvage the situation. “We depended on the businesses which have been burnt down,” Owino added. He urged Kenya Power to take precautions to avoid such incidents.
Tabitha Owili urged the county government and well-wishers to intervene with humanitarian aid to help them. “I appeal to government authorities and well-wishers to come to our aid because our businesses are now closed down,” Owili said. They also called on the county government to intensify its efforts to equip the fire department for prompt response to fire incidents.
