A sanctuary for the vulnerable has been reduced to ashes in a terrifying daylight inferno that swept through the Home of Legends rescue centre.

The blaze, which erupted mysteriously on Tuesday evening in Thika, has left a trail of destruction but, in a stroke of divine fortune, claimed no lives among the 44 children who call the institution home.

Seconds from Tragedy

Witnesses describe a scene of panic and heroism as smoke billowed from the dormitory windows. Staff members and neighbors rushed into the burning structure, prioritizing the evacuation of the minors before attempting to salvage property. By the time the Kiambu County fire engines navigated the traffic to reach the site, the roof had already caved in, and the dormitory was a skeleton of charred timber and twisted metal.

"It moved so fast," recounted a shaken caregiver. "One minute it was a quiet afternoon, the next the ceiling was on fire. We didn\`t think about the beds or the clothes; we just grabbed the children." The prompt evacuation is the only reason the county is not mourning a mass casualty event today.

• The Loss: While lives were spared, the children have lost everything—bedding, school uniforms, and the few personal mementos they possessed. The psychological toll of losing their safe haven is incalculable.
• Investigation Launched: Police have cordoned off the scene. Preliminary reports suggest an electrical fault, but arson has not been ruled out given the recent spate of suspicious fires in the region.

A Community Rallying

The destruction of the Home of Legends is a blow to the social safety net of Thika. The centre has been a refuge for orphans and victims of domestic abuse. Local leaders are already mobilizing resources to rebuild, but the immediate need is shelter and counseling for the displaced children, who spent the night huddled in a makeshift hall.

Disasters like this expose the fragility of our charitable institutions, often operating on shoestring budgets with outdated infrastructure. As the smoke clears, the question remains: how many other rescue centres are sitting on similar ticking time bombs?

"We will rise from these ashes," vowed the centre`s director. "But we cannot do it alone."