2 Killed, 222 Injured After Huge Explosion Reported In Embakasi [VIDEO]

UPDATE: The government has announced that two people have been killed and 222 others have been injured following a huge explosion that occurred at Mradi area, Embakasi, Nairobi on late Thursday night.

In a statement on Friday, February 2, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that a lorry of an unknown registration number that was loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely.  

A flying gas cylinder hit Oriental Godown, burning down the said godown which deals with garments & textiles. 

"Consequently, the inferno further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium sized businesses. Sadly, residential houses in the neighborhood  also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside as it was late at night. 

"As a result, two fellow kenyans have regrettably lost their lives while being attended to at the Nairobi West Hospital. The government sends its most sincere to the families of the departed souls," stated Mwaura in part.

In addition, 222 other Kenyans were injured by the fire, and have been rushed to various hospitable as follows: 21 at the Kenyatta National Hospitall, 160 at Mama Lucy General Hospital, 19 at Mbagathi Hospital, 14 at Modern Komarock Hospital, and 8 at Nairobi West Hospital. 

The scene has now been secured and a command center is now in place to help coordinate rescue operations and other intervention efforts. 

The government has confirmed a fire outbreak at midnight on Friday, February 2 at a tank company in Embakasi, Nairobi.

A statement shared on X by Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura revealed that the outbreak occurred at Kentainers Company Limited near Kabansora in Embakasi, Nairobi. 

"The company was refilling gas cylinders when the fire broke out and several people were injured and rushed to hospital. 

"The building hosting the company is badly damaged. The cause of the fire remains unknown," stated Mwaura in part.

Here is the video:

NEWS JUST IN: Fire following a huge explosion heard at a gas plant near skyline estate in Embakasi#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/eoH3MiLH8Q — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) February 1, 2024

Members of the public have been advised to avoid the area as rescue operations are underway including fire engines being deployed to the area.

Videos seen by Viral Tea showed huge flames raging through the company followed by a loud explosion, which could also be seen from the Nairobi skyline.

Residents of an apartment near the affected area were frightened by the incident after hearing a loud bang and made to watch a huge fireball shoot up into the air, turning the night sky orange, moments before the huge smoke was seen.

The number of casualties is yet to be confirmed, though panic gripped the area and many people are feared to be injured.

This is the third fire incident reported in the country this week and the second in Nairobi. On Tuesday, January 30, several buildings were set ablaze after a fire broke out in Kitengela Town, Kajiado County.

The fire notably engulfed the building which sat near a local bank. The cause of the fire was yet to be established, coming moments after another fire swept through businesses at City Stadium in Nairobi.

“A fire incident has been reported near City Stadium, Nairobi County, impacting local businesses, response teams have been activated,” noted the Red Cross earlier.

Videos shared by eyewitnesses showed onlookers standing at a distance as the fire wreaked havoc, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. 

A fire brigade believed to belong to the Nairobi County government could be seen in the vicinity. 

Earlier a section of Kenyan had shared photos of the billowing smoke online, with the majority trying to pinpoint the location of the fire. 

The amount of loss incurred by the businesses, the majority of which are small-scale traders and second-hand cloth sellers was reported to run into millions of shillings.