THREE children aged between six and 12 are admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital after being burnt in their house at the weekend at Kariaini village in Lari district. Pauline Njeri, 11, Catherine Wachuka, 9 and Elizabeth Nyambura, 6, who were alone in the house were rescued by neighbours during the 9pm incident.

Neigbours said the children's mother Ruth Wambui,35, had gone to the shop to buy candles after a power blackout hit the area. The mother stays with the children while the father lives in Nakuru where he works.

Although the cause of the fire has not been established, a witness James Mbugua said it could have have been caused by an electric fault. "We have had problems with electricity here which is on and off in short intervals. We suspect that when the mother went to buy candles the power returned, but with an impact that led to the fire," Mbugua said.

Confirming the incident, area deputy police chief Jonathan Kisaka said the three sisters sustained serious burns. Kisaka said they were first rushed to Kijabe Mission Hospital where they were given first aid and transferred to KNH where they have been admitted to the ICU. Kisaka said property worth more than Sh100, 000 was razed down. He said police officers with the help of Kenya Power and Lightning Company have launched investigations to establish the cause of the accident.