Tragedy averted as quick-thinking staff and neighbors rescue dozens of minors from a raging dormitory fire suspected to be sparked by an electrical fault.

It was a scene that could have ended in unspeakable horror. Instead, the sun set over Kisumu with a collective sigh of relief as authorities confirmed that all 58 children at the Mama Ngina Children’s Home had escaped a fierce fire unscathed. The blaze, which broke out around 4:00 PM EAT in the facility's dormitory, reduced the upper section of the building to a charred shell, but the headcount at dusk revealed that not a single life was lost.

The fire began insidiously, with smoke billowing from the roof just as the children were concluding their afternoon activities. Helen Tuli, the home’s manager, recounted the terrifying moments when the alarm was raised. "We thank God for saving the lives of the children," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "No child was in the affected upper section at the time."

Community Heroism

The response was immediate and communal. Before the county fire brigade could navigate the traffic, traders from the nearby Kibuya Market and local residents had already rushed to the scene, forming a human chain to ensure the children were evacuated to safety.

• The Rescue Effort: The coordination between the Kenya Red Cross, the Police Service, and the community was seamless, preventing the flames from spreading to adjacent structures.
• Temporary Shelter: The displaced children have been moved to the Agape Children's Home, which opened its doors immediately to provide food and shelter for the traumatized minors.

Investigation Underway

Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa, who arrived at the scene shortly after the fire was contained, praised the swift action of the staff. "The upper part of the dormitory has been completely burnt down, but all the children are safe," she confirmed. While official investigations are pending, preliminary assessments point to an electrical fault as the likely culprit.

As the children settle into their temporary beds tonight, the charred remains of their dormitory stand as a stark reminder of the fragility of safety. Yet, in the face of disaster, the spirit of Kisumu shone through—a community that refused to let its most vulnerable perish in the flames.