15 people are reported to have died with 74 people admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital after suffering burns following a fire broke out at Gikomba market in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Confirming the incident the Kenya Red Cross, stated that the inferno caused extensive damage to property at Kwa Mbao section of the market.
“Nairobi City County fire brigade team responded and contained the inferno,” the humanitarian agency stated.
Reports indicate that the fire broke out at around 2 AM that razed part of the residential and market sections of Gikomba
[caption caption="Scenes from the fire at Gikomba market on 28/06/2018"]
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[caption caption="Scenes from the fire at Gikomba market on 28/06/2018"]
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KNH stated that at least 60 people had been taken to the hospital for treatment.
"Death toll rises to 15, 70 injured following the inferno at Gikomba Market.
"15 residential apartments and several shanties affected. The inferno started at 2:30 AM, and was contained at 4 AM," St John's Ambulance disclosed on Twitter.
Later in the morning, Nairobi Central Police Chief Robinson Thuku disclosed; “I can confirm to you that 15 people have lost their lives. There may be some who have succumbed to their injuries in hospital.”
A representative from KNH stated that 28 people had already been discharged after their injuries had been surveyed and given the emergency treatment needed.
"We have admitted those with 30 percent burns, the others with minor injuries have been discharged," the KNH representative told journalists.
[caption caption="Scenes from the fire at Gikomba market on 28/06/2018"]
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[caption caption="Scenes from the fire at Gikomba market on 28/06/2018"]
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UPDATE:
8:20 AM: The story was updated with a quote from St. John's ambulance on the number of casualties.
10:00 AM: The story was updated with a quote from St. John's ambulance on the number of casualties.
