At least ten people sustained injuries after a massive fire broke out in the Kariobangi Light Industries area on Sunday afternoon, causing widespread destruction. The inferno, which erupted around 1 PM, raged for nearly six hours before firefighters from Nairobi and Kiambu Counties managed to contain it.
The fire, whose cause is still under investigation, started in one of the affected structures before spreading rapidly to surrounding buildings, fueled by strong winds and highly flammable materials such as timber and cartons. Among the destroyed properties were three bakeries, two timber yards, multiple car garages, a carton yard, a firewood yard, an LPG gas cylinder yard, two schools, residential houses, and other structures.
Local police reported that the extent of property damage is yet to be determined. Nairobi Police Commander George Sedah confirmed that investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of the fire.
“We have injuries sustained as the locals fought to contain the spread of the fire. Many people are displaced following the fire,” Sedah said.
The Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with St John Ambulance, provided emergency medical assistance to the victims. Many of the injured individuals were local residents who had attempted to extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.
The incident disrupted schooling in the affected area, leaving dozens of pupils stranded when they reported for classes on Monday morning, only to find some of their classrooms reduced to ashes. Authorities are now working to assess the damage and assist displaced individuals.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a man lost his life following a fire outbreak in Kanguruwe area, Kayole, on Friday night. According to police, the deceased was asleep inside a house when the blaze erupted. Efforts by locals, with assistance from the Nairobi County Fire Brigade, helped extinguish the fire. It was only afterward that they discovered the victim’s body among the charred remains of the structure.
The police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the Kayole fire. The body of the deceased has since been moved to the mortuary, pending an autopsy and further probe.
Both fire incidents highlight the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in residential and industrial areas. Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant and report any safety hazards to prevent such tragedies in the future.
