Property of unknown value was lost in a fire that erupted mid-morning on Tuesday in Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Nairobi County, following a gas cylinder explosion.
The blaze originated from one of the homes and quickly spread to nearby structures in the slum area.
Eyewitnesses reported that despite attempts to extinguish the flames, the fire proved too powerful to control.
Residents criticized the Nairobi County Government for the lack of accessible water, which could have aided in dousing the fire more effectively.
They also pointed out that the poor condition of the roads made it challenging for fire trucks to reach the scene promptly.
Efforts to contact fire emergency services were initially unsuccessful, as they were unavailable at the time.
A video clip shared on social media captured thick, dark smoke billowing into the sky, with residents pleading for urgent assistance while they attempted to combat the flames.
Tragically, a four-year-old child lost their life in the incident, and it is estimated that over 40 homes were destroyed, leaving many families homeless, particularly as most residents were at work when the fire broke out.
Area chief Justus Kiema indicated that the fire was likely linked to an illegal power connection, which contributed to the explosion of the gas cylinder.
By the time this report was published, the fire emergency unit had still not arrived to address the ongoing inferno.
This incident follows another fire in Mukuru Kwa Reuben just six days prior, raising concerns about the frequency of such occurrences in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
Last week’s Mukuru fire was soon followed by a similar incident on Muratina Road in Eastleigh on October 16, although that event did not result in any injuries or casualties.
Police cordoned off the area to facilitate investigations into both incidents.
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