Angry residents chase away Siaya fire brigade for turning up late to extinguish fire

Siaya,

Thursday, August 24, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

Siaya fire brigade was yesterday afternoon forced to make a U- turn and return to Siaya town when angry residents of Ng’iya Township chased the firefighters away for turning up late to tackle a fierce blaze that razed their business premises to the ground. 

Following the blaze, the traders lost goods worth thousands of shillings as the fire, suspected to have started at a chips outlet quickly spread to nearby premises at the busy Ng’iya stage.

Among the premises razed were a motorcycle spares shop and a video shop. 

According to the residents, the fire started at around 11 am and their efforts to contain it were curtailed by strong winds and the close proximity of the structures. 

Some residents had to demolish several iron sheet structures as members of the public who responded to their calls helped some of them move their goods to a safe distance. 

The Siaya fire brigade turned up more than two hours later, only for the residents to order them back, bitterly complaining that they had let them down at the hour of need. 

The agitated youths, some armed with clubs, blocked the Siaya – Luanda road and shouted at the driver to reverse and go back. 

They accused the county government of laxity when it comes to emergencies, wondering why it took two hours to respond while the distance to Siaya town was barely 10 kilometres away. 

Mur Ng’iya sub location assistant chief, in whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, Mrs. Grace Otieno said the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage was yet to be established. 

While commending the locals for their quick response that saw the fire contained from further spread, Mrs. Otieno joined the locals in questioning the effectiveness of the disaster response department in the Siaya county government, especially the fire brigade. 

The residents, among them James Ndolo and Omondi Maurice alias Bazuu challenged Siaya governor, James Orengo to ensure that the fire brigade team and the disaster management unit as a whole functioned properly and responds to the residents needs on time.

Courtesy; KNA