Pastor, congregation escape death as 'strange' fire engulfs church

A pastor and his congregation narrowly escaped death after their church in Maara, Tharaka Nithi, caught fire on Sunday.

Loyford Nkonge of Redeemed Gospel Church in Kanyambo market had remained behind after the service to talk to church members when the fire broke out.

Choir members were also in the church practicing when the incident occurred.

The faithful panicked and ran for the door with others escaping through the windows.

Pastor Nkonge and an elderly female congregant were the last to make it to safety. The pastor sustained burns on the hand while the woman suffered burns on the face.

Florah Kiraithe said they were on the upper floor of the church when they heard people shouting from outside, warning them to escape.

Those who witnessed the incident said they saw fire envelop the church, which is made of wood.

"The incident took us by surprise. We saw flames on the roof, but we could not help put out the fire because it spread very fast," Kibaara Karambi told The Standard.

Kennedy Mutwiri said the incident had shaken them. He added that they suspected the fire could have been caused by an electrical fault.

Nkonge and the other injured people were taken to Chogoria Hospital.