City Affairs

In Pictures: Embakasi gas explosion

People run for cover following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024. (People run for cover following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO/AFP)

By Dennis Tarus | Friday, February 2, 2024

At least three people were killed and 280 others injured in a massive fire after a gas explosion at Mradi Area, Embakasi on Thursday night.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by around 9.00 am, more than nine hours after it erupted. However, by noon, smoke could still be seen from the area.

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Firemen fight a blaze following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Kenya on February 2, 2024. (Photo by Luis Tato/AFP)

The inferno damaged several vehicles and commercial properties. Residential houses in the neighbourhood also caught fire.

A fireman stands next to a burnt car following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Kenya on February 2, 2024. (Photo by Luis Tato/AFP)

The government has set up a command centre to coordinate rescue efforts.

The displaced families have been housed at the Kenya School of Aviation.

Firemen extinguish a blaze following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024. (Photo: Simon Maina/AFP)

A man stands next to his household belongings at the scene following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024. (Photo by Simon Maina/AFP)

Medical responders tend to an injured man as others queue for aid next to an ambulance following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Kenya on February 2, 2024. (Photo by Luis Tato/AFP)

Firemen fight a blaze following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Kenya on February 2, 2024. (Photo: Luis TATO/AFP)

This photograph taken on February 2, 2024, shows the wreckage of burnt trucks and tankers, a day after a gas explosion in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. (Photo by Luis Tato/AFP)

This photograph taken on February 2, 2024 shows heavily damaged houses and shops, a day after a gas explosion in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. (Photo: Luis Tato/ AFP)

A woman looks from a balcony at the heavily damaged houses and shops, a day after a gas explosion in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, on February 2, 2024. (Photo: Luis Tato/AFP)