Businesses along Luthuli Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District were shut on Wednesday after a major fire engulfed the Ramogi Building the previous evening.
Police sealed off the area as the blaze, which destroyed several electronics shops, continued to smoulder and emit thick smoke, attracting large crowds.
Firefighters were still working to fully put out the fire by midday, even as questions were raised about emergency response capacity.
Fire at Ramogi Building Forces Closure of Businesses Along Luthuli Avenue. Photo: Courtesy.
Some property was salvaged from the building, while authorities maintained security at the scene as investigations into the cause of the fire continued.
Witnesses at the scene voiced frustration over the slow firefighting response, questioning why the blaze had not been fully contained more than 12 hours after it started.
The extended closure of Luthuli Avenue has significantly disrupted business activity along one of Nairobi CBD’s busiest commercial corridors, particularly for electronics and mobile phone traders who remain locked out of their shops as police maintain the cordon.
The incident occurred just days after another fire tragedy in Gitaru, Kiambu County, where a family was rendered homeless after their house was razed by fire on New Year’s Eve.
The blaze was reportedly sparked by fireworks lit by a four-year-old child, turning what was meant to be a celebration into a disaster.
Although no injuries were reported, the incident renewed calls for tighter controls on fireworks and raised fresh concerns over fire safety nationwide.
