Minutes to midnight, Thursday, a truck loaded with gas exploded and set off a massive fireball which razed parked cars, homes and warehouses in Mradi Estate, Embakasi.
As of Friday mid-morning, at least 3 people had been confirmed dead and more than 200 nursing injuries and burn wounds. About 24 others suffered serious injuries and have been referred to multiple high-level hospitals for specialized treatment.
Many residents in the area were already inside their houses at the time of the explosions.
Despite the fire being eventually contained as of Friday morning, firefighters, rescue teams and police were still looking for people trapped in the area. The initial cause of the explosion is yet to be stablished.
At the scene, Friday morning, dozens of houses and shops can be seen charred. Witnesses saying they could see gas cylinders flying, some shattering window panes of their houses.
Further, those living around the scene of the incident say they could still perceive choking fumes of gas by early Friday morning.
Red Cross in Kenya has given an update that at least 271 people had been taken to nearby health facilities while 27 others were treated on site.
The area has since been secured and a command centre set up to help coordinate rescue operations and other intervention efforts, with locals being asked to keep off the sealed site.
