A tragic dawn fire outbreak at Daraja Mbili in Kitutu Chache South Constituency, Kisii County, has left the community in shock. The inferno, which broke out early Monday morning in a multi-storey residential building, claimed the life of one resident and left several others nursing injuries.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as thick smoke engulfed the premises, sending tenants scrambling for safety in the early hours. Survivors reported breaking windows and doors to escape as flames spread rapidly through the building. Jane Moraa, one of the lucky survivors, recounted the terrifying experience, saying she woke up to screams and smoke filling the corridor and had to break a window to make it out alive.

The injured victims were rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH), where doctors confirmed that most of them suffered burns and smoke inhalation but are now in stable condition. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary pending a postmortem examination.

Confirming the incident, Kitutu Central Sub-County Police Commander Kazungu Charo expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured residents that investigations had already been launched to establish the cause of the fire. Authorities have promised swift action once the investigations are complete, emphasizing that measures will be taken to prevent a repeat of such tragedies.

The Kisii County Disaster Management Unit has urged landlords to comply with safety standards, including installing fire extinguishers and emergency exits, to minimize risks in the future. Residents of Daraja Mbili, still reeling from the ordeal, have called on county authorities to improve firefighting capacity in the area. Many cited delayed response time caused by congested access roads, which made rescue efforts difficult.

This incident comes just weeks after local leaders raised concerns about the rising number of fire outbreaks in Kisii town. Poor building compliance and inadequate safety enforcement have been flagged as some of the key challenges contributing to the frequent tragedies. As the community mourns and prays for the recovery of the injured, authorities are urging calm and vigilance as they work to uncover the cause of the fire and enhance preparedness for future emergencies.