Property of unknown was destroyed on Wednesday night after a fire incident was reported at the Egesa Estate in Mukuru kwa Ruben, Nairobi County.
According to witnesses, the fire reportedly broke out at one of the residential buildings a few minutes before midnight before it quickly spread to other buildings. However, initial attempts to put out the fire hit the rocks as the situation escalated, forcing residents to request assistance from firefighters.
Minutes into the incident, a multi-agency team consisting of the Kenya Red Cross and the disaster management team from the Nairobi County government were dispatched to the scene to help put out the inferno that had engulfed several buildings.
“A fire outbreak has been reported at the Egesa area in Mukuru kwa Reuben. Nairobi Fire Brigade alongside our Community-Based Disaster Response Team at the scene,” announced the Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi branch.
In the videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the residents were recorded watching as the fire burnt down their property even as responders intensified their efforts to put out the inferno.
After hours of battling the fire, the multi-agency team managed to contain it. However, by the time of putting out the inferno, it had already destroyed several residential buildings. “The fire has been contained, thanks to the County Fire Brigade, Kenya Police, Community-Based Disaster Responders and the community members,” the Red Cross revealed.
Following the tragic occurrence, the Kenya Red Cross officials aided the residents in accessing alternative shelters. Luckily, no casualties were reported from the night incident.
However, the cause of the fire is yet to be established. Meanwhile, police officers who arrived hours after the occurrence, have since launched a probe into the incident.
Reports of fire incidents at Nairobi's informal settlements are not new. The Mukuru fire incident followed hours after another similar occurrence was reported at the Muratina Road in Eastleigh in Nairobi.
The Wednesday noon fire broke out at one of the highrise buildings within the area, attracting passersby who quickly crowded the scene to witness the unfolding. While confirming the incident, the Kenya Red Cross announced that it had dispatched rescuers to the scene.
"We have liaised with the Nairobi City County Fire team, who are on the ground working to extinguish the fire. The Kenya Red Cross is on standby, ready to provide first aid services and psychosocial support to those affected," the Kenya Red Cross detailed.
During the incident, no injuries or casualties were reported with police officers cordoning the area to pave the way for investigations.
