Fire Burns Down 24 Houses in Embakasi’s Jua Kali Area
A devastating fire has left 24 families homeless after it tore through the Jua Kali Green Corner in Embakasi, Nairobi, in the early hours of the morning. The fire, which broke out at around 1 AM, quickly spread across the settlement, reducing homes to ashes before firefighters could bring it under control.
The Kenya Red Cross, who were first to report the incident, confirmed that no casualties had been recorded at the time of publication. However, the emotional toll on the affected families is immeasurable as they face the harsh reality of losing their homes overnight.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, expressed his deep frustration over the delayed response by the Nairobi County Fire Brigade. “Fire outbreak at Juakali Embakasi East. Sadness in Embakasi. Nairobi County fire brigade should move with speed and put out the fire,” Owino lamented, pointing to the unnecessary destruction of property due to the slow reaction.
The fire, which consumed more than 20 homes, has raised concerns over Nairobi’s ability to respond swiftly to emergencies in densely populated areas like Embakasi.
Residents echoed the MP’s concerns, emphasizing that a quicker response could have significantly reduced the damage.
This incident is the latest in a series of fire-related tragedies to hit the Embakasi area. Earlier in February, a gas explosion in the same region claimed the lives of six people and injured 280 others. That fire was sparked when a truck loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exploded, triggering a massive fireball that ravaged nearby homes and warehouses.
In response to that disaster, Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson ordered the closure of all gas businesses operating in residential areas, with the hope of preventing such incidents from recurring. Despite these efforts, the recent fire at Jua Kali Green Corner has reignited discussions about the need for better fire preparedness and response infrastructure in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, affected families are left wondering what more could have been done to protect their homes from such devastation.
In Other News: Peter Kaluma Faces US And Irish Media Backlash Over Misleading Kamala Harris Post
Fire Burns Down 24 Houses in Embakasi’s Jua Kali Area
