Traders are counting heavy losses after property of unknown value was destroyed following a morning fire at Marikiti Market in Kisii on Sunday.
According to reports, the blaze broke out shortly after 2am.
The fire reduced stalls and shops within the market which is located in the heart of Kisii’s Central Business District (CBD) to ashes.
Fire outbreak destroys property in Marikiti Market. Photo: Courtesy.
Residents’ attempts to put out the blaze proved futile, as efforts to douse the flames using water buckets bore no fruit.
The situation was worsened by the market’s construction, which largely consisted of aluminium structures that quickly caught and spread the fire.
Nearby businesses, including car parks were forced to take drastic measures, resorting to forcibly pushing vehicles away to prevent them from being consumed by the raging blaze.
Witnesses criticised the delayed response by firefighters, despite the Kisii County fire station being just a few metres from the scene.
The cause of the fire is yet to be established.
