Gas truck explosion sparks inferno, kills several, injures hundreds in Kenya

Feb 02, 2024

Lauren Keenan Anchor/Reporter

By Lauren Keenan (Anchor/Reporter), Evan Hummel (Producer), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

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An explosion from a truck loaded with liquified petroleum gas caused an inferno, killing at least three people and injuring nearly 300 individuals in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 1, according to authorities and first responders. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that 24 of the individuals injured were in critical condition.

The Associated Press reported that the truck was inside a gas cylinder storage and filling site. The site had multiple applications to operate there rejected in 2023. Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said it rejected three applications for construction permits because of the high population density around the facility.

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Reuters found that EPRA asked the applicant to submit a risk assessment including a document called a “blast profile,” which would show the nearby areas impacted if an explosion were to occur. The agency said the applicants never submitted the documents. Right now, it’s unclear who owns the facility.

During the explosion, residents in a nearby building screamed as a plume of smoke and flames went hundreds of feet into the air. Witnesses posted the video to social media.

“The fire caught up with me from almost a kilometer away as I was escaping,” Edwin Machio, a survivor, told Reuters.

According to the AP, a flying gas cylinder from the truck set off the fire that burned down a nearby garment and textile warehouse. Reuters reported several vehicles and homes were also scorched.

Many residents were inside their homes when the fire reached their houses in one neighborhood, said Isaac Mwuara, a government spokesperson.

On Friday morning, police moved into the area and removed people from the vicinity while preventing others from returning to their homes.

The operation of the facility reportedly without legal permits is likely to put the government’s enforcement of regulations under the microscope. The AP found that local government officials have been accused of taking bribes to overlook building codes and other regulations.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Tags: Kenya, building fire, Red Cross, Africa

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

VIDEO POSTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA–

CAPTURES A MASSIVE FIREBALL LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT SKY OF NAIROBI, KENYA –

AS A TRUCK LOADED WITH LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS EXPLODED.

PEOPLE IN A NEARBY BUILDING SCREAMED OUT IN HORROR.

THE BLAST KILLED AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE AND LEFT HUNDREDS INJURED – AS IT QUICKLY TURNED INTO AN INFERNO – BURNING HOMES AND WAREHOUSES IN ITS PATH.

OFFICIALS SAID THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED AT A GAS CYLINDER STORAGE AND FILLING SITE.

ONE OF THOSE CYLINDERS IGNITED AND FLEW INTO A NEARBY TEXTILE AND GARMENT WAREHOUSE, BURNING IT TO THE GROUND ACCORDING TO THE BBC.

WHEN THE SUN ROSE–

SEVERAL HOUSES AND SHOPS COULD BE SEEN BURNT TO THE GROUND– AND THE SHELLS OF WHAT-USED-TO-BE TRUCKS.

NOW, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE SAYING THE OPERATION SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ACCORDING TO KENYA’S ENERGY AND PETROLEUM AUTHORITY, THE PLANT WAS ILLEGAL AND THE AGENCY HAD REJECTED MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS FOR A STORAGE AND FILLING FACILITY AT THE SITE.

THE AGENCY CITED LAX SAFETY STANDARDS AND THE AREAS DENSE POPULATION.

NOW, ACCORDING TO THE AP, GOVERNMENT REGULATORS ARE LIKELY TO BE PUT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE…

WITH SOME OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF TAKING BRIBES TO OVERLOOK BUILDING CODES AND MORE IN THE PAST.