Kericho: Two children burnt to death after gas exploded while mother was cooking lunch

Two children aged 14 and 4 were on Saturday burnt beyond recognition after their house caught fire following a gas cylinder explosion at Barsiele in Kipkelion West, Kericho County.

Barsiele sub-location Assistant Chief Bismarck Milgo confirmed the incident saying the cylinder exploded when the children's mother was preparing lunch.

Mr. Milgo said the mother also sustained serious burn injuries while attempting to rescue her children and was rushed to the Kericho referral hospital for treatment.

He said the fire engulfed the timber house before spreading to 9 adjacent shops which were also constructed from timber and burnt them down.

The administrator also revealed that members of the public attempted to put out the inferno but were overwhelmed as it spread too fast.

The fire brigade from the Kericho County government later arrived at the scene but were already too late and could not assist much.

Mr. Milgo appealed to the county government to acquire enough fire engines and deploy them to all sub-counties for easier access whenever such emergencies happen.

The charred remains of the children were later removed and taken to Londiani sub-county hospital mortuary.