Panic gripped Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Sunday evening after a transformer exploded along Ronald Ngala Street, triggering a massive inferno that sent traders and pedestrians scrambling for safety.
The explosion occurred around 6:00 p.m., amid heavy rainfall that had just begun pounding the area.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying moment when the transformer burst into flames, engulfing the ground floor of a three-storey commercial building adjacent to the site.
Videos circulating online showed thick black smoke billowing from the building, with the fire quickly spreading to nearby shops, including a shoe retailer.
The explosion caused widespread chaos, with terrified traders fleeing and a traffic jam forming along the busy street.
Despite the danger, several curious onlookers gathered near the scene, oblivious to the risks posed by the electrical fire.
“We were just closing up when the transformer exploded. It was terrifying; we barely had time to react before flames spread to the building,” a witness recalled.
The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be determined, but heavy rains in the area have raised concerns about the safety of electrical installations.
No casualties had been reported by the time of publishing, though the extent of the property damage is still being assessed.
In response, Kenya Power Company has announced that it will conduct thorough investigations to determine the cause of the transformer explosion and review electrical safety in the area to prevent future incidents.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has also forecast continued rainfall in Nairobi and other parts of the country, urging residents to remain cautious.
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