• A devastating fire in Mukuru Kwa Reuben on October 22 claimed the life of a four-year-old boy and destroyed at least 50 houses, leaving the community in shock
• Witnesses reported that the blaze was ignited by a gas explosion, worsened by illegal power connections, and lamented the delayed response from fire emergency services
• Residents expressed desperation as they struggled to control the flames, calling for urgent assistance while gas cylinders exploded amid the chaos
• Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Disaster and Risk Coordination, Bramwell Simiyu, said the fire had been contained, with disaster management teams now assessing the situation

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi – A tragic fire incident in Mukuru Kwa Reuben has claimed the life of a four-year-old boy and left significant destruction in its wake.

The mid-morning blaze broke out on Tuesday, October 22, engulfing multiple houses in the informal settlement.

Witnesses reported that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion, which was further exacerbated by illegal power connections in the area.

Despite the urgency of the situation, the locals lamented that fire emergency services took time to respond, leaving residents to fend for themselves as the fire spread.

In a heartbreaking video seen by TUKO.co.ke, residents can be seen frantically trying to manage the raging flames, with one calling out for urgent assistance.

“We need firefighters urgently here; houses are burning one by one. There’s no water at all; it was cut off completely. As you can see, the second row of houses is about to catch fire. We need the fire brigade, please! It’s out of control. Gas cylinders are exploding in every plot, and the situation is dire,” the resident pleaded, capturing the desperation.

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How many houses were affected by fire

The Nairobi County government confirmed the devastating incident, revealing that at least 50 houses had been destroyed.

Bramwell Simiyu, the County Chief Officer for Disaster and Risk Coordination, provided further insights into the incident.

“The Nairobi City County Government confirms a fire at Mukuru Kwa Reuben initially suspected to have been a gas fire, but preliminary investigations indicate it may be a result of an electrical fault. The gas cylinders located in some of the houses exploded thereafter. Approximately fifty (50) housing units were affected. The Fire and Rescue Services have since contained the fire and returned to the base. The disaster management officers are onsite carrying out post-disaster needs assessment,” Simiyu stated.

Source: TUKO.co.ke