300 people were injured in an enormous fire ignited by a gas explosion on Friday, in Nairobi, Kenya, the local Red Cross reported. 

The Kenyan Red Cross posted updates on the situation, saying rescue response teams had successfully evacuated 271 people to nearing hospitals, and treated 27 others on the spot at the site of the fire.

Update: The concerted actions of various response units have resulted in the successful evacuation of 271 individuals to different health facilities in Nairobi.

Furthermore, @EMS_Kenya, in coordination with the Kenya Red Cross action team, promptly attended to an extra 27… https://t.co/pQO9jUqoxl

— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) February 2, 2024

Another medical rescue unit working under the Kenyan Red Cross revealed that an additional group of 50 people were also treated on-site.

Read more: Drought Puts 2.4 Million at Risk of Famine in Kenya: WFP

Tracing it back 

Government spokesperson Maigua Mwaura took to X to explain the details of the tragedy.

Reportedly, a truck transporting gas blew up and caused a massive fire in the Embakasi village vicinity. Nearby vehicles and small and medium-sized businesses or proprietorships had also caught fire. 

"Sadly, residential houses in the neighborhood also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside as it was late at night," Mwaura said. 

Mwaura revealed that two casualties succumbed to their injuries and passed away a the hospital. 

An AFP journalist revealed that by 6:30 am, firefighters were still trying to put out the fire. 

SECOND UPDATE ON THE EMBAKASI GAS EXPLOSION FIRE INCIDENT

Further to our earlier communication, the government of Kenya wishes to confirm that yesterday Thursday 1st February 2024, at around 11:30 pm, there was a huge explosion at Mradi area, in Embakasi, Nairobi County.

One…

— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) February 2, 2024