Witnesses Narrate Moments Leading To Pipeline LPG Tanker Explosion
Witnesses on the scene revealed that the fire erupted when a matatu driver who had parked his vehicle behind the truck started it in an attempt to escape the gas leakage.
Marvin Chege 
New details have emerged regarding the explosion which occurred after a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker burst into flames near the Fedha Estate matatu stage in Embakasi South Constituency, Nairobi County.
Witnesses on the scene who spoke to the media revealed that the fire erupted when a matatu driver who had parked his vehicle behind the truck started it in an attempt to escape the gas leakage.
The lorry driver sought directives, to which he was advised not to start his vehicle as efforts to clear the matatu from the affected area were carried out. However, the matatu driver's attempt to revive his vehicle proved costly.
An LPG gas tanker explodes into flames on June 3, 2024. /PHOTO
"There was a Nissan parked nearby and its driver was hesitant to move so he left it there. The lorry driver asked for instructions, and we advised him not to start the lorry while we pushed the Nissan. However, the Nissan driver ignited his vehicle, which led to the fire," the witness explained.
A matatu driver who was on the scene narrated that during his daily routine, he encountered the lorry behind him, followed by a loud bang as though the lorry had hit something.
Peeping through his side mirror, he noticed gas leaking from the lorry, a matter which prompted him to act by moving the vehicle away from the stage before the incident occurred.
"I was approaching a nearby stage to pick up passengers when I noticed a lorry following me. Just as I was about to park, I heard a loud bang, like the lorry had hit something. Checking my side mirror, I saw a gas leak from the lorry."
"Realizing the danger, I quickly moved my vehicle away from the stage. Shortly after I moved, the lorry exploded. Thankfully, my tout is safe," the matatu driver narrated.
It has not yet been established what caused the incident that left a huge smoke billowing into the skies. The driver of the lorry had asked onlookers to vacate before he fled.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the Nissan driver died unfortunately after failing to escape, with his vehicle burning down into a shell of itself. Two people were reportedly injured following the incident.
An Embassava 14-seater matatu and the tanker were reduced to charred remnants, bearing witness to the intensity of the blaze.
Immediately after the blast occurred, a number of area residents and business people could be seen milling around the scene. Motorists and residents were, as a result, advised to evacuate from the area immediately for their safety.
Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei revealed that immediately after the incident, police blocked the flow of traffic along Outering Road, as they were focused on evacuating the area to avoid a disaster.
The incident came after six victims of the tragic gas filling plant explosion at Mradi area of Embakasi East constituency, Nairobi that killed over 10 people and injured 300 others sued two Cabinet Secretaries and state agencies over the matter.
