Tragedy as Three Family Members Perish in Tongaren Fire
Grief and sorrow have gripped residents of Brigadier Market in Tongaren Constituency, Bungoma County, after a devastating fire claimed the lives of three family members late Tuesday night.
Family and Community in Shock
The fire identified the victims as David Busuru, his wife Nancy Busuru, and their young grandson. The blaze destroyed the family’s home, leaving relatives and neighbors in disbelief.
“We are deeply pained. Losing three members of the same family at once is unbearable,” said James Wanjala, a family representative who spoke amid tears and grief.
Neighbors recounted waking up to flames consuming the house, with efforts to rescue the family proving futile due to the intensity of the fire.
Authorities Confirm the Incident
Soysambu Mitua Division Commissioner Solomon Nginai confirmed the tragic event and transferred the bodies to Wamalwa Kijana Hospital mortuary in Trans Nzoia County for postmortem examinations.
He added that detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have begun probing the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Ongoing Investigations
While the cause of the inferno remains unknown, preliminary reports suggest possible electrical faults or use of unsafe lighting sources. Police have cordoned off the site as experts from the fire department and forensic unit continue their assessments.
Local leaders and residents have called for improved emergency response services, saying delayed fire rescue efforts often lead to avoidable deaths.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the growing number of domestic fire incidents in rural Kenya, where access to firefighting equipment and trained responders remains limited.
