Vital Intervention That Saved JKIA From Major Fire Disaster

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) on Monday, March 25 announced the temporary closure of a section of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) following a small fire incident.

In a statement, KAA revealed that the incident had affected its Terminal 1E, a situation that was quickly contained to avert what could have been a major disaster.

"Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) wishes to inform the public of a small fire incident that occurred at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's Terminal 1E this morning, caused by an electrical fault.

"The situation was quickly contained, with no injuries or casualties resulting from the incident," stated KAA in part.

The Authority indicated that power to the terminal had to be shut off temporarily as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff within its premises.

To mitigate any inconvenience this may cause, all flight arrival operations were redirected to Terminal 1A until further notice.

"KAA is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all passengers, staff, and stakeholders at our facilities and is taking all necessary steps to minimize disruptions and return to normal operations as swiftly as possible," added the authority.

Had the fire incident not been contained in time, it would have triggered a major incident that would have been similar to that which occurred inside what used to be JKIA's main building and international arrivals on August 7, 2013.

The blaze had destroyed two of the three units contained in the building. No one was killed, but two people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Incoming flights were diverted to Uganda, Tanzania, and other airports in Kenya. The fire began at the immigration section of Unit I (used for international departures) and rapidly spread to adjoining Unit II, which was used for international arrivals.

Former Infrastructure and Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau in October of that year had attributed the cause of the inferno to an electrical fault.

“From the evidence collected, experts’ report and eye witness account, it is evident that the fire was an accidental incident that resulted from an electrical hitch that started from the electric distribution board, it was beyond any human detention and control,” he said then.

The international arrival and departure units were destroyed in the fire incident that began the process of revamping the entire airport into what it is today.

Fire breakout at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on August 7, 2013. /BBC