A huge fire swept through Ruiru’s Biashara Ward on Sunday morning, February 8, leaving several iron-sheet business structures destroyed.
The blaze erupted near the municipality offices and the Ruiru Chief’s offices, with witnesses saying they heard a loud explosion shortly before the flames spread, sparking speculation of a possible gas leak.
No injuries were reported, although the extent of the losses has yet to be established.
Ruiru Traders Count Losses After Blaze Destroys Roadside Market. Photo: Courtesy.
Biashara Ward MCA Kimani Nduta suggested the incident could have been intentional, claiming it interfered with a scheduled public participation meeting on relocating traders and discussions around possible compensation.
Photos and videos shared online showed the iron-sheet roadside market completely destroyed, with the structures reduced to ashes.
The incident comes only days after a gas explosion sparked a major fire in Nairobi’s Donholm estate.
The blaze erupted near the Total Petrol Station in Donholm, opposite Triple K, triggering panic as several explosions were heard in rapid succession.
Residents and families were forced to flee as debris scattered through the air and gas cylinders detonated.
Witnesses reported that the fire is believed to have started inside a nearby hotel before spreading quickly to surrounding buildings.
The flames reportedly consumed the eatery first, then moved to an adjacent clinic before reaching a gas cylinder depot next door.
Once the fire spread to the depot, gas cylinders began exploding repeatedly, intensifying the inferno and increasing the level of destruction.
The blasts hurled cylinders and debris across the area, shattering windows of nearby buildings and damaging vehicles parked close to the scene.
