Two people have died following the huge Embakasi gas explosion fire incident in the Mradi area.
In a statement Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the two post their lives while being attended to at the Nairobi West Hospital.
Mwaura noted that 222 other Kenyans were injured during the incident. 21 are being hospitalized at the Kenyatta National Hospital, 160 at Mama Lucy General Hospital, 19 at Mbagathi Hospital, 14 at Modern Komarock Hospital, and 8 at Nairobi West Hospital.
“The scene has now been secured and a command center is now in place to help coordinate rescue operations and other intervention efforts,” read the statement in part.
According to the government spokesperson, the fire was caused after a lorry loaded with gas exploded.
“One Lorry of an unknown registration number that was loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely,” said Mwaura.
“A flying gas cylinder hit Oriental Godown, burning down the said godown which deals with garments & textiles.”
The inferno damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium sized businesses.
Residential houses in the neighborhood also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside as it was late at night.
Mwaura urged Kenyans to keep off the cordoned area in order to allow the rescue mission to be carried out with minimal disruptions.
“The Government also is in the process of doing everything possible within its means, to assist the victims of the fire incident and also to help restore normalcy in the affected area,” he added.
The government spokesperson further thanked the National Police, Nairobi County Government, the Kenya Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance and Kenyans of goodwill for their quick response after the fire incident.
“This is the true spirit of our nationhood and patriotism. Huu, ndio utaifa na Uzalendo halisi,” Mwaura stated.
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