A huge fire razed several villas, restaurants and vehicles in Watamu, Kilifi County, early Monday May 25.
Police said the fire broke out at around 2am at Kibo Bar and Restaurant along the beach before spreading rapidly to adjacent premises due to strong winds.
Responders responded to the incident at Fortamu Villas and found a massive inferno engulfing several structures.
The blaze later spread to Kachawe and Jahazi Bar and Restaurant before extending to nearby villas including Fortamu, Moonlight House, Pwani House, Five Baobab House, Villas House, Breeze Bay 765 House, Villa Hannah and Kioo Villa.
Authorities said all the affected houses had makuti roofs and were completely destroyed.
At the Fortamu parking yard, four vehicles — a Toyota Wish, Toyota Rush, Toyota Fun Cargo and Toyota Noah — were completely burned, while a Toyota FJ Cruiser was partially damaged by the fire.
The fire was eventually contained with the help of two Kilifi County government fire engines and members of the public.
Police said no casualties were reported and the cause of the fire had not been established.
The affected scenes were preserved awaiting documentation by crime scene investigators from Malindi as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, police in Juja, Kiambu County arrested a 42-year-old suspect after recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other items during a patrol operation at Kenyatta Road area.
According to police, officers on patrol intercepted a suspicious green Nissan X-Trail vehicle and conducted a quick search, recovering three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition near the driver’s seat.
The vehicle and its driver were escorted to Muigai Inn Police Post for a more detailed search.
During the operation, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle with an unclear serial number hidden under the driver’s seat, an AK-47 magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two knives, pieces of tape, 56 nylon cable ties, assorted sacks, tying ropes and a bunch of keys.
The suspect was arrested while the vehicle was detained as investigations continue.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
