Police in Nairobi have reported a gas explosion in the Ngara area, on the outskirts of the Central Business District, which was traced back to a wholesale distributor.
According to a police update released on Sunday, the explosion occurred around 5:28 AM at a cooking gas outlet on Desai Road.
The incident involved gas cylinders and was linked to a shop owned by an individual identified only as Stephen.
This shop, which deals in wholesale and retail of cooking gas, had received a bulk delivery at 5:00 AM, according to police records.
Fire engines from both Nairobi City and the General Service Unit (GSU) were dispatched to the scene.
Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties. However, the explosion triggered a fire that quickly spread, damaging nearby businesses and residential structures.
Preliminary assessments indicate that approximately thirty business units and ten residential units were affected, though the total damage is still being calculated.
Social media videos captured the dramatic scenes, showing large flames and thick smoke rising from the area.
This incident comes in the wake of a similar tragedy earlier this year in February, when a gas explosion in the Mradi area of Embakasi resulted in at least three deaths and over 280 injuries.
That explosion, caused by a leak from a gas cylinder truck, led to increased scrutiny and calls for accountability regarding the operation of gas plants near residential areas.
In response to the Embakasi explosion, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had mandated the immediate closure of gas refilling stations within 200 meters of residential areas.
The recent fire in Ngara has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of fuel and gas handling in densely populated areas, prompting renewed calls for stricter regulations and more rigorous enforcement to prevent future incidents.
