Outrage as Nairobi county fire engines arrive without water to put out slum fire – VIDEO
By CHAD KITUNDUThere was outrage on Saturday afternoon in Deep Sea slum next to New Muthaiga after Nairobi County fire engines arrived at the scene without water to put out fire which broke out in the sprawling neighbourhood.
It took hours to contain the fire which started in one of the shanties due to inaccessibility to the scene.
In a short video clip posted on Twitter by Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, smoke is seen billowing from the shanties as the residents struggle to contain the fire using water fetched in buckets and other containers.
However, no casualties were reported and police are investigating the cause of the fire.
I am disappointed that city council fire engines were dispatched to Deep Sea slum with no water in their tanks. Gov @MikeSonko, can we have a firetruck in every constituency for rapid response to emergencies? And while we’re at it, let’s ensure the trucks are well equipped. pic.twitter.com/TvDAFJHJzO
— Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) August 25, 2018
FIRE RESPONSE
The incident prompted Passaris to demand answers from Governor Mike Sonko over the county’s response to the fire.
Passaris questioned why fire engines were reportedly sent to the scene only to arrive without water.
“I am disappointed that city council fire engines were dispatched to Deep Sea slum with no water in their tanks,” Passaris tweeted.
She further called on Sonko to ensure every constituency had a dedicated fire engine to serve it.
Last year while launching 26 new fire-trucks in Nairobi governor Sonko promised Nairobians that each of the 17 constituencies would be allocated a fire engine.