Nairobi's Gikomba market burnt in dawn raze

juma chrispinus

October 6, 2017 7:40 AM

Reports indicate that the cause of the fire could be..

Property of unknown value was on Friday morning razed down by fire in Nairobi’s leading second cloth market.

Eye witnesses have said that the inferno broke out at around 3am Friday and as at 7 am, the fire had not been contained.

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Reports indicate that no causalities have been reported even as sources who sought anonymity said that the inferno may have been due to the rivalry amongst traders at the market. The fire is said to be spreading towards Kamukunji grounds and Juakali area.

Nairobi County head of security Francis Munyambu said all county fire engines are the scene but congestion and inaccessibility is slowing down the rescue process. He said that the county has also asked for help from the G4S firefighting team.

In an update, the National Disaster Management Unit appealed persons and companies with fire engines and water boosters to help fight the fire that was quickly spreading to a building housing two banks.

The government has indicated that the fire that broke out at Gikomba market early Friday morning was not an accident but could have been arson.

In a statement issued Friday morning, Devolution Cabinet secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri said: “from the initial reports we are getting, we are saddened that they appear to point at foul play”.

Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri said the government has set in motion investigations to establish the cause of the fire.

“Let it be known that stern action will be taken on the culprits should the investigations establish foul play,” the CS added.

A fierce inferno broke out on Friday at around 3 am and lasted for over five hours, razing down millions worth of property, with traders helplessly watching their investments go down in ashes.

Photos: Courtesy

*Updated

juma chrispinus