MERU, Kenya – A fire on Tuesday night destroyed six semi-permanent houses at the Meru Prison staff quarters, leaving several families displaced but causing no injuries, police have said.
According to a report filed at Meru Police Station at 11:50pm, the fire broke out at around 8:00pm and is believed to have originated from electric meter boxes within the staff housing compound.
The blaze quickly spread, completely razing the wooden structures and destroying property of unknown value.
Prison officers on duty moved swiftly to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby houses.
“No casualties were reported,” the police report states, adding that preliminary findings point to a possible electrical fault, although investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause.
Footage and images from the scene shared widely on social media showed flames engulfing the houses as residents watched helplessly.
The incident triggered public criticism, with locals faulting the county government over what they described as a delayed response by the fire department.
The incident adds to a growing list of fire outbreaks reported across the country in recent weeks, raising renewed concerns over electrical safety and the preparedness of emergency response units.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report faulty electrical installations as investigations into the Meru incident continue.
