Two children escaped death narrowly as a fire gutted their house at Gacharu village in Ndia constituency in Kiririnyaga County.

According to the children's father, Francis Miano, he was on his way from Nairobi when he received a distress call.

"I was on my way to Kirinyaga when I was informed about the incident by my wife. I was glad that my children, who were watching TV in the living room, were safe."

The family is counting losses after the inferno as property of unknown value was reduced to ashes.

Confirming the incident, Kirinyaga West police commander Moses Koskei said a probe is underway.

"We suspect that the fire started as a result of an electric fault," Koskei noted.

Further, he said that they are working closely with officials from Kenya Power to establish the cause of the fire.