A 19-year-old petrol station attendant in Kenya has died from severe burns after a fire broke out while she was serving a motorcycle operator during a power outage in South Ngariama, Mwea, Kirinyaga County on Monday.
Joan Wangeci, who worked at Gold Village petrol station, died at Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital, where she had been taken for treatment, according to Kenyan news outlet Citizen Digital.
Witnesses said Wangeci had lit a candle to continue serving customers after the station lost electricity. She was pouring petrol from a jug into a motorcycle’s fuel tank when the fire broke out.
Bystanders rushed her to Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital, where medical staff attempted to stabilise her while arranging a transfer to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment. She died before the transfer could take place.
According to the report, medical personnel told her family and residents that she had suffered burns covering about 81% of her body.
Residents gathered at the hospital after learning of her death.
Susan Wangari, a resident, described Wangeci as a hardworking young woman who was committed to her job and her customers.
Wangari said the attendant had apparently wanted to continue serving customers despite the blackout, unaware of the danger posed by an open flame near petrol.
The report also quoted a resident identified as Mwangi as saying that Wangeci handed money collected from fuel sales to the station owner and apologised to him before her death. The owner was reportedly overcome with grief at the hospital.
Another resident, Peter Njeru, said the station could have temporarily suspended operations until electricity was restored.
Residents expressed sorrow over Wangeci’s death, describing the incident as an unprecedented tragedy in the area.
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