Fire engulfs houses in Mukuru Kwa Reuben as gas cylinders explode

A devastating fire has destroyed several houses in Mukuru Kwa Reuben, with initial suspicions pointing to a gas explosion.

However, a preliminary investigation by the Nairobi City County Government on Tuesday, indicated that the blaze may have been caused by an electrical fault. The fire led to explosions of gas cylinders located in some of the affected homes.

Nairobi County Chief Officer for Disaster and Risk Coordination Bramwell Simiyu reported that approximately 50 house units were impacted, but fortunately, no casualties have been confirmed.

“The Fire and Rescue Services have since contained the fire and returned to base. The disaster management officers are onsite carrying out post-disaster needs assessment,” Simiyu said.

Earlier reports had indicated that a four-year-old child had died in the blaze.

Area chief Justus Kiema attributed the fire to illegal power connections, which were followed by the gas explosions.

Videos seen by the Eastleigh Voice showed the fire raging uncontrollably, with plumes of smoke darkening the sky. Numerous structures were seen reduced to ashes as first responders scrambled to manage the situation.

A witness recording the video decried the harrowing scene, noting that attempts by residents to extinguish the flames had been unsuccessful.

“We need firefighters to help contain this fire. We have not been able to contain it. Houses are burning down one by one,” the witness was heard saying.

It was also reported that compounding the disaster was a lack of water in the area, as residents have been facing water shortages in recent days. “We don’t have any water. Houses are in flames,” the witness lamented.

This latest incident adds to the growing worries over the increasing number of fire-related disasters in Nairobi's informal settlements, leaving many vulnerable in the absence of adequate emergency services.