At least eight people sustained critical injuries on Thursday night after a fire broke out in the Kawangware area of Nairobi.
The fire which broke out at around 7.30 pm burned down about 160 houses forcing residents to seek alternative shelters.
While confirming the incident, the Kenya Red Cross Society noted that it had dispatched a rescue team to the scene.
According to the humanitarian group, despite the injuries, firefighters successfully managed to put out the fire with the help of locals.
Fire burning down buildings at the Umoja 3 area in Nairobi on August 29, 2024
Photo
Joseph Otundo
“Following the fire incident in Kawangware, the blaze was successfully contained with the support of residents,” read part of a statement by the Kenya Red Cross.
“Unfortunately, 160 homes have been completely destroyed. The Kenya Red Cross has attended to 8 casualties.”
Photos from the incident which have since circulated online depicted residents watching from a distance even as property of unknown value went up in flames.
Meanwhile, the cause of the inferno is yet to be established with police officers commencing a probe to unravel the root cause of the fire.
The latest incident comes hardly four days after another similar occurrence was reported at the Mukuru Kwa Njenga estate near Mzungu Mweusi in Nairobi.
In a statement, the Kenya Red Cross revealed that the night fire which broke out at around 9 pm burnt down about 100 households.
Moments later, firefighters from the Nairobi County Government arrived at the scene alongside the police and helped put out the fire.
The night infernos at Kawangware and Mukuru Kwa Njenga add to a long list of fire incidents reported across the country in the recent past.
The raging inferno at Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
Photo
Mukuru Community Justice Centre
