Property worth millions destroyed as fire razes shops at Yare Business Park in Eastleigh

A major fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at Yare Business Park in Eastleigh, Nairobi, destroying several shops and leading to losses valued in millions of shillings.

The incident has left traders counting heavy losses while raising concerns about the speed and effectiveness of the city’s firefighting response.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started at a shop that sold clothes fabric, furniture, and curtains before quickly spreading to adjoining shops. Within minutes, thick smoke and flames engulfed parts of the business complex, forcing traders to rush into their shops to salvage their goods.

Owners of nearby outlets evacuated their merchandise, leaving behind empty shelves, as they struggled to save what they could.

The adjacent Eastleigh Mall was immediately closed indefinitely as tenants and management feared that the fire might spread into the mall. Security guards turned away customers as traders hurriedly secured their shops.

Shopkeepers and members of the public attempted to contain the fire using extinguishers and buckets of water, but their efforts proved futile as the blaze intensified.

“We tried to put it out with what we had, but it was too strong for us,” one trader said.

Nairobi City County fire engines arrived at the scene almost two hours later, according to shop owners. Firefighters, working with assistance from business owners, managed to extinguish the flames.

Police officers were also deployed to the area and began dispersing large crowds of onlookers who had gathered at the scene.

Noor Sheikh Mohamed, one of the traders who was affected by the fire, said he lost goods worth more than $180,000 (equivalent to Sh23.4 million). He explained that among the destroyed stock were more than 600 rolls of fabric, as well as furniture items such as sofas, beds, and curtains.

“I am among the first people who rented a shop here eighteen years ago. I have lost millions, but Alhamdulilah,” Noor told Eastleigh Voice.

He criticised the firefighters for arriving late, saying that their slow response worsened the losses. “If they had come on time, this fire would not have destroyed so many shops and goods.”

The trader explained that his entire livelihood had been destroyed in a matter of hours.

“I have lost my source of income, which I have been operating for so long. This loss is too big and I do not think I will overcome it,” he added.

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Abdirizak Mohamed, another affected shop owner,  also blamed the fire brigade for failing to respond quickly. He said the fire started at around 2 pm, but firefighters only arrived two hours later.

“It is really sad. We were left to fight the fire ourselves,” he said.

While some shopkeepers suffered heavy losses, the majority managed to remove their goods before the flames spread. However, they now face the challenge of securing storage for the salvaged merchandise since the building was damaged and remains inaccessible.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Police are expected to carry out investigations to determine how the fire started and to assess the extent of the damage at the business park.