Over 20 Eastleigh families left homeless after gas cylinder explosion sparks fire

More than 20 families in Eastleigh in Nairobi's Kamukunji constituency face an uncertain future after a fire destroyed their homes on Monday afternoon.

Triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, the fire quickly spread, consuming 11 houses along Mutarakwa Road, which links Eastleigh North to Eastleigh South Ward. The affected area, located behind DD Plaza and Mega Wholesalers, is typically busy with activity.

The incident occurred at around 2 p.m., and within minutes, the fire had engulfed the houses, leaving residents in a state of panic and shock.

The residents of the affected houses, along with neighbours, attempted to put out the fire, but their efforts were hampered by a lack of firefighting equipment and skills.

Some of them expressed frustration with the response time of Nairobi's fire department. Many claimed that the firefighters arrived late after the fire had already caused significant damage.

"The firefighters came very late when we were already finishing up fighting the fire ourselves," said one of the affected tenants.

Others pointed out that more houses could have been saved if the fire trucks had arrived sooner. Eyewitnesses told The Eastleigh Voice that the delay and the lack of proper firefighting methods among residents contributed to the extensive destruction.

The caretaker of the houses, Mama Karanja, expressed sympathy for the families affected by the fire, especially those who were away at the time of the incident. Many of the tenants were at work when the fire broke out and are yet to return to discover the devastation.

"Twenty families have been affected, but others are currently away since they went to work earlier today," she noted.

She expects tenants to be shocked when they return and find everything destroyed.

Alvin Mutembei, one of the affected tenant at the houses engulfed by fire in Eastleigh on Monday, October 21, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Mary Kalondo Mwema, one of the tenants, described the terrifying moments as the fire started. "I heard a loud bang followed by wailings. I picked up my child and ran outside," she said.

According to Kalondo, saving her child was her only concern at the time. She escaped with her child but lost all her belongings in the fire, including her bedding and food supplies.

"I managed to save my child only because that was the most important at that time," she added, visibly shaken by the ordeal.

Alvin Mutembei, another tenant, also shared his experience of the fire, describing the sense of loss and hopelessness he now feels.

"I'm confused; I don't know what I have done to deserve this kind of punishment. Where will I go now?" he asked.

Like Mary, Alvin lost all his possessions in the fire, including important documents and household items.

For him, the future seems uncertain as he contemplates how to rebuild his life from scratch.

Despite the intensity of the fire, there were no casualties. All the residents escaped unharmed, though many were left with only the clothes they were wearing at the time of the incident.

Police officers arrived at the scene soon after the fire was contained. They are investigating whether the fire was actually caused by the explosion and exploring possible solutions for the displaced families.

Tenants try to salvage their property after a fire razed houses in Eastleigh on Monday, October 21, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)