At least five people, including two children, lost their lives early Monday morning when a devastating fire swept through the Mathare B section of Nairobi’s Mathare slums.

According to police, four others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. 

The blaze, which broke out around 2:00 am, also left dozens of residents homeless as it tore through the tightly packed informal settlement. 

Nairobi Police Commander George Sedah confirmed that at least eight homes and two nearby churches were destroyed in the fire.

He said the inferno is believed to have started in one of the iron-sheet houses before spreading rapidly to adjacent structures. 

“The firefighters have managed to put off the fire that broke out at 2 am. We are yet to establish the cause of the fire. The injured are currently receiving medical attention.”

Fire engines from both the military and the Nairobi County Government were deployed to the scene and helped contain the flames before further destruction could occur. By Mate Tongola, The Standard