Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed after a fire burnt a private villa in Malindi, Kilifi County.
Casuarina residents suspect the 10 am fire at Nakupenda Villa might have been caused by an electric fault.
An eyewitness, Michika Ndurya, said the morning fire started after electric cables started producing sparks.
“The cables begun producing sparks moments after the birds that perched on cables, which were close to one another, flew away,” Mr Ndurya said.
He said the fire was later extinguished by fire fighters.
DARK SMOKE
The Nation could not immediately identify the owner of the villa who was said to be out of the country.
Mr Karisa Mure, the care taker of a villas owned by Kenyan football superstar MacDonald Mariga’s family, said he saw smoke coming out from the neighbouring villa.
“I saw a dark smoke and I rushed to the scene. We managed to put out the fire from one houses as we waited for the arrival of fire fighters,” said Mr Mure.
Police have launched investigations into the cause of the fire.
BURNT TO ASHES
However, this not the first time homes and hotels have been burnt to ashes in the as a result of electric faults.
In April last year, Dorado Cottages and Kenga Jama house were burnt to ashes after strong winds caused electricity cables to cause fire that later spread to a neighbouring makuti-thatched cottage.
In September last year, Breeze Point Hotel suffered losses after fire burnt its makuti roof.