Shock as mysterious fire guts down seven houses in Teso

By Renson Buluma

Teso, Kenya: At least seven families in Osopotoit village in Teso South, Busia County have been left homeless after fire gutted down their houses in mysterious circumstances.

Property worth thousands of shillings were destroyed Sunday evening as members of the affected families fought the razing inferno to salvage whatever they could.

According to residents, the fire started at around pm when a grass thatched house caught fire in unclear circumstances.

As villagers attempted to salvage property, another house in the neighbourhood caught fire.

Within four hours, seven houses were already on fire prompting the would be rescuers to concentrate on removing furniture and other items from their houses for fear that they would catch fire.

“It reached a time when no one was willing to help their neighbour because fire was gutting down houses indiscriminately,” said a victim, Valentine Egesa.

She added: “Each house started burning from the rooftop and within a few minutes it was in ashes “.

Area Ward Representative Solomon Ochieng told journalists that it was the second time the area was experiencing mysterious fires and asked the locals to seek divine intervention.

“At the moment, we can only look for a temporary solution which involves getting tents for the affected families. But I urge the local residents to seek God and turn away from their wickedness,” said Ochieng.