In a tragic turn of events, the vibrant city of Nairobi, Kenya, was shaken on the night of February 2 by a gas explosion at an industrial building, setting off a massive fire. The Kenyan Red Cross reported that this unfortunate incident claimed the lives of two individuals and left around 300 others injured.
The swift and coordinated efforts of various response units managed to successfully evacuate 271 individuals to different health facilities in Nairobi, with an additional 27 people receiving on-site medical attention, as shared on the Kenyan Red Cross’s X (formerly Twitter) account.
EMS Kenya, in a commendable response, evacuated 29 injured individuals to Kenyatta National Hospital. The relentless battle against the flames in Embakasi Village, Nairobi County, saw the collaborative efforts of the Kenyan Red Cross team and a multi-agency response force, working tirelessly to combat the fire.
The incident unfolded during a routine gas cylinder refill at a company, resulting in the ignition of a formidable blaze that damaged the building housing the company, according to Isaac Mwaura, the Kenyan government spokesman. Mwaura explained that the fire originated from the explosion of a gas-loaded lorry of unknown registration, creating a widespread inferno. The flames even reached Oriental Godown, a facility specializing in garments and textiles, which unfortunately succumbed to the fire.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the resilience of the response teams and their unwavering dedication eventually led to the extinguishing of the fire. The aftermath serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of industrial operations and the imperative need for stringent safety measures. Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragedy as Nairobi rallies to recover from this devastating incident.
