Kenyan Man Dies in a Fire Tragedy in Atlanta, Georgia [VIDEO]

A Kenyan man who authorities described as homeless has died following an explosion that razed down the building he was in in Forest Park, about twenty miles South of the city of Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The man has been identified as Daniel Kariuki Chege aka Kandithi.

Clayton County authorities said the man “may have been asleep when several explosions rocked the building.”

“Daniel was well known around here. He usually spent the night inside the building to keep the wintery weather at bay,” said Moses Freeman, a friend to the deceased. “He was a good man,” he added.

According to witnesses, firefighters responding to a 911 call around 9 p.m. on Friday January 9th found a building burning with a man inside.

Atlanta’s WSB-TV reported that 50 firefighters worked for five hours to control the blaze. Officials said the building may have been a mechanic shop. Several acetylene tanks had exploded inside the business.

Crews spent hours looking through the debris overnight for any additional victims.

A friend to the deceased and who spoke to ksnmedia on condition of anonymity said it took several days before the family knew that it was Daniel who had died in the fire tragedy.

“Initially, the local TV stations did not have the name of the victim. When authorities contacted the family, obviously the news was devastating” he said.

Daniel’s sister, Grace Nyambura Wandu, on Wednesday appealed to the Kenyan community and other well wishers to turn up for a memorial service-cum-fundraiser on Saturday January 24th at BHU Student Center in Atlanta to “help us bury our brother.”

The burial will be on Saturday January 31st at Mt Harmony Memorial Gardens, 581 Veterans Memorial Hwy, SE, Mableton, GA 30126.

By the time of going to press, authorities were still investigating the actual cause of the tragic blaze.

Following Daniel’s death, the family sent this announcement to ksnmedia.com for publication:

It’s with deep regret and sympathy that we inform you of the death of Daniel Kariuki Chege in Atlanta. Daniel died on January 9th, 2015 through a fire tragedy in Clayton County, Georgia.

He was brother to Grace Nyambura Wandu (Georgia), David Wamworia Chege (Seattle-WA), Josephine Njeri Chege (Texas), John Thiongo Chege (Kenya) and Joyce Wanjiku Chege (Kenya). He was a brother in law to the late Rev Dr Jotham Wandu of Atlanta, Georgia.

He is survived by 7 Nephews, 11 Nieces and 25 Grandkids

Fundraiser towards his burial expenses on
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2015
Time: 2:00PM
Location: BHU Student Center

892 Berne St Se,

Atlanta, GA 30316

Phone: (404) 627-2681

Funeral Service
Date: Saturday, January 31st, 2015
Time: 11:00AM
Location: MURRAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME CASCADE CHAPEL
1199 UTOY SPRINGS RD, SW
ATLANTA, GA 30331
Phone: (404) 349-3000

Burial Service
Date: Saturday, January 31st, 2015
Time: 2:00PM

Location:
Mt Harmony Memorial Gardens
581 Veterans Memorial Hwy Se,
Mableton, GA 30126
Phone: (770) 948-3033

Contact:
Grace Gatungo Wandu: 404-819-6320
Josiah Wandu: 773-491-1521
Leonard Wandu: 404-819-6380
Sylvia Wandu: 404-966-7577
Ben Mbugua Mune: 404-285-8889
David Waamworia Chege: 253-508-8608
Timothy K. Ndegwa: 770-870-0469

- By BMJ Muriithi, KSN Media