12-Year-Old Burned as Battery Blast Destroys 8 Homes in Homa Bay
A tragic incident unfolded in Homa Bay County when a battery explosion left a 12-year-old boy seriously injured and eight rental houses reduced to ashes.
The incident occurred at God Jope Trading Center in Lambwe West, where the boy sustained severe burns as he attempted to disconnect power from a solar-powered battery. The explosion set off a fire that quickly spread through the neighborhood.
According to Fredrick Onyango Odero, the acting chief of Lambwe West Location, the fire broke out after the solar-charged battery exploded while the boy was trying to disconnect it. “The boy was trying to disconnect power from the battery when it exploded. He suffered severe burns on his left hand,” explained Chief Odero.
Following the explosion, neighbors rushed to the scene to rescue the boy and extinguish the flames, but their efforts were not enough to prevent the fire from spreading. The inferno destroyed the family’s house, along with seven other adjacent rental homes, all constructed from corrugated iron sheets (Mabati). “Unfortunately, the fire spread quickly, and eight houses were completely destroyed. All household items were burnt to ashes,” Chief Odero added.
The boy was immediately taken to Ogongo Health Center, where he is being treated for his injuries. His condition remains stable, though the burns on his left hand are serious. Meanwhile, ten families who resided in the rental units have been left homeless, forced to spend the night in the cold after the fire consumed all of their belongings.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the battery explosion, while affected families await assistance to rebuild their lives. The disaster has left the community in shock, with many questioning the safety of using solar-powered batteries in densely populated areas without proper precautions.
As of now, efforts are underway to provide temporary shelter and basic supplies for those affected, with the hope that the community will soon recover from this devastating event.
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12-Year-Old Burned as Battery Blast Destroys 8 Homes in Homa Bay
