Seven family members were killed after their house was reduced to ashes in a night fire in Runyenjes constituency, Embu County.

Area Member of Parliament Muchangi Karemba confirmed the incident on Sunday, October 2, stating that the fire broke out in the three-bedroom wooden abode at night.

Among those who perished was a man, his wife, their three children and three grandchildren.

Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba arrives at the scene where seven family members died in an inferno on Saturday, October 1, 2022.

MUCHANGI KAREMBA

"We have lost seven people through a fire incident at Ngimari- Gichiche Sub-location. Our thoughts and prayers are with the extended family of Benjamin Muthathai whose son Charles Kariuki is the father and husband of the family that has perished," Karemba wrote.

Images seen by Kenyans.co.ke reveal that the house was razed down with only metallic suitcases left unfazed. The cause of the fire is yet to be established. Police officers arrived at the scene and ferried the remains of the seven to the nearby mortuary. The cops have also launched an investigation to the incident.

"Crime scene officers have commenced investigations to unravel this sad occurrence. We urge anyone with information to volunteer it to our officers to speed up the process of investigations," the MP stated.

Embu Woman Representative arrived at the scene and mourned the demise of the seven. She further condoled with the family of  the deceased and asked investigating officers to expedite a probe into the matter.

The incident comes just months after a family of six - a grandmother, her three children and two grandchildren - was wiped out in an inferno that consumed their house in Murang'a county. 

An inquiry into the incident that happened on April 9, established that it was an arson attack, which was a culmination of a prolonged family dispute.

Rebecca Wambui, the lone survivor of the inferno, stated that she was lucky to be alive since she left the home  a day before the fire. However, she admitted witnessing a verbal confrontation between her aunts which may have resulted in the tragedy. 

A sister of the deceased, who was identified as a person of interest in the case, was taken into police custody.

Witnesses at the scene of arson in Kandara, Murang'a County. FILE By Paul Kurgat Kenyans.co.ke