Huge fire has engulfed structures in Kijiji slum, Langata area leaving hundreds of residents homeless
Local reporters who was on the ground said firefighters from the Nairobi fire brigade arrived at the scene but ran out of water.
“The fire is continuing to spread and it’s spreading really fast. Lang’ata is in total blackout because the lights were switched off at around 9:30 pm,” Star Newspaper reporter Rhoda Odhiambo was quoted.
Odhiambo said some residents were trying to salvage their property although there were fears that people could be trapped in some of the houses.
Kijiji slums is opposite the upmarket Southlands estate.
“The fire has spread and it has even affected power poles. Explosions can be heard from where I am and I think those are gas cylinders exploding,” Odhiambo added.
National Disaster Management Unit Deputy Director Pius Masai said four fire engines were trying to put out the fire.
He said it was impossible to tell as yet if anyone had been injured or if people were trapped in some of the houses.
“The fire is big and the fire engines are not enough, those that came ran out of water. We are waiting for extra engines from NYS. We are also appealing for more engines from agencies like the KDF, G4S.”
He went on: “People are saying there could be people (who are trapped) inside but the fire is too big to establish what has happened inside.”
Area MP Nixon Korir told NTV on phone from Mombasa that the fire spread so fast because fire engines could not access the area.
“It’s a big problem and I talked to the governor (Mike Sonko) an hour ago and we are trying to find extra fire fighting machines because those from the County government that are there are overwhelmed and they have run out of water,” Korir said.
“What we need to do is to prepare in advance. We cannot have firefighting engines coming from the CBD. The county government needs to prepare,” he added.
The MP, who said he was attending a parliamentary committee meeting in Mombasa, said he will fly to Nairobi on Monday morning to asses the situation and see how the affected families will be assisted.
“I hope and pray that we don’t lose any life so that we can help them tomorrow (Monday),” Korir said.
More to follow…
