Two residents of Mukonge village in Mautuma location, Lugari Sub County are counting losses worthy over Kshs. 300,000 after unknown arsonists set on fire their cereal stores and animal shades killing five sheep.
According to 84 year old Neddy Muleshi flanked by her children, the fire started at around 12am as they enjoyed midnight slumber.
The granny said she was awakened by severe heat inside the house and light which was coming through openings on her bedroom window.
When she moved closer to the window and peeped outside, she was shocked to see her store and the sheep shade on fire before she woke up her daughter Miriam Ayuma.
“I was deep asleep when I was awakened by my mother at about 12:45am and she informed me that she had seen flames in the store. I rose and dashed out quickly only to find it engulfed in a big flame of fire,” said Ms. Ayuma adding that she moved round her brothers’ houses informing them of the incident and they responded immediately but couldn’t salvage anything.
Their efforts to fight the inferno were futile which ended up consuming assorted property which had been stored inside and also killing five sheep which were burnt beyond recognition.
According to the family the food store may have been set on fire using a highly flammable substance, saying that the tremendous explosion witnessed was clear evidence.
About 500 meters away Ms. Catherine Mbithe is also counting loses following a similar incident in her compound.
She said she heard unusual noise from the animal manger at around 4am and at first she thought there were people trying to access her store with an intention to steal but when she peeped outside she was shocked to see flames of fire on her store.
She rushed out and managed to save her cows by cutting the ropes allowing them to run away before she raised an alarm that attracted neighbors who responded to her distress call and managed to help her put of the fire which was spreading towards her kitchen and also managed to save part of her property.
Residents have bitterly condemned the two incidents appealing for thorough investigations by security apparatus aimed at arresting the culprits and establishing the motive of the arson.