Fear and confusion swept through Donholm estate in Nairobi on Friday morning after gas cylinders exploded at a depot, starting a large fire near a petrol station and a well-known eatery. The incident happened in a busy residential area, raising alarm among residents as flames spread quickly.
People living in the area said they were jolted awake by loud explosions that shook nearby houses. Many families rushed out of their homes as the blasts echoed across the estate, unsure of what was happening and worried about their safety.
Witnesses said the fire is believed to have started when a gas cylinder that was leaking caught fire. The flames then spread to a nearby gas cylinder depot, causing several other cylinders to explode one after another as the fire intensified.
“If you have never heard multiple gas cylinders exploding, that is a sound you don’t want to wake up to,” one resident posted on X.
Another witness said: “Felt like bombs were going off in the hood. The fire started at my local chips kuku joint, hit the clinic next, then started the fireworks at the gas cylinder shop.”
Gas cylinders and debris were thrown into the air, smashing windows of nearby buildings and damaging parked vehicles. Terrified residents ran for safety as the fire lit up the sky, with many stopping to record videos and take photos after the explosions.
Police blocked the main road leading into New Donholm to give emergency teams space to work and to keep people away from the danger zone. Movement in and out of the area was restricted as efforts to manage the situation continued.
Images seen by The Star show Nairobi City County fire engines at the scene, with firefighters working to control the blaze and stop it from spreading further.
Nairobi police boss George Seda said it was too early to confirm whether anyone had been injured. He said experts were already at the scene to determine what caused the explosions and to assess the damage.
Following the incident, residents urged authorities to tighten safety checks on gas depots, eateries, and fuel stations operating close to homes, saying the risk to people living in such areas remains high.
