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Embakasi fire tragedy: Death toll rises to three

More than 200 are admitted with serious injuries

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by MAUREEN KINYANJUI

News02 February 2024 - 06:14
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In Summary


  • Several vehicles were burnt in the incident.
  • Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said a lorry carrying gas cylinders exploded.
Police zone with yellow tape scene where the explosion occurred in Embakasi on Thurdsay night

The death toll in the Embakasi fire tragedy has risen to three, Deputy Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said.

He said more than 200 are admitted with serious injuries.

“We have three fatalities so far and our teams are still checking here,” he said.

Kanja led security officers to the scene as the search for more people continued.

Several vehicles were burnt in the incident.

The government on Friday revealed further details from the fire incident.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said a lorry carrying gas cylinders exploded.

"Yesterday (Thursday) at around 11:30 pm, there was a huge explosion at Mradi area, in Embakasi, Nairobi County. One Lorry loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely," he said 

Mwaura further revealed that a flying gas cylinder hit the Oriental Godown nearby, burning it down. The godown deals in garments and textiles.

As a result, the inferno further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium-sized businesses.

The fire even spread to residential houses, he said.

"Sadly, residential houses in the neighbourhood also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside as it was late at night," Mwaura added.


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