15 Dead as Fire Razes Down Gikomba Market

Once again on Thursday morning the Country woke up to a fire that gutted a section of Gikomba fire at least 15 people are feared dead and more than 60 injured after a night fire. According to Kenyatta Hospital Acting CEO Thomas Mutie “they received 70 patients of those five came in dead. He confirmed that among the 70 causalities 17 were children.

While trying to save and salvage their property some of the victims burned while others choked after inhaling poisonous fumes. The St John's Ambulance Emergency service provider said 70 others, mainly traders, were taken to Kenyatta and other city hospitals with burns. Others were evacuated and treated by emergency service providers on the scene.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, the flames broke out at around 1.00 am at Kwa Mbao area before spreading to other parts of the informal market. At around 7.30 am firefighters from Nairobi City County Fire Brigade were still battling to put out the fire that had consumed timber and bales of unused clothes.

Mr. Thuku, the regional commissioner, said that they were yet to establish the cause of the fire but investigations were underway. According to the Red Cross the inferno, which spread fast to residential houses neighbouring the timber yards, caused "extensive damage to property". At least 15 residential apartments and several shanties affected, according to St John's Ambulance.

Mr. Thuku said that a multi- Agency to search for bodies and survivors The regional commissioner said they had set up a  multi-agency to search for bodies and survivors which draws its membership from Kenya Red Cross, St John's Ambulance, the National Disaster Operation Centre, the National Disaster Management Unit and a disaster rescue unit from the Kenya Defense Forces.

To avoid further damage and danger to the rescue team power lines in the area have been disconnected. Buildings in the area that contain flammable material were also being cleared .the commissioner also  urged the families of those affected by the fire to converge at a tent set up at the site to report what and whoever is missing.