Firefighters battle blaze at Amref buildings near Wilson Airport

A fire broke out at Amref offices in Lang'ata, Nairobi County, on Monday evening.

Firefighters battled the blaze for an hour before it was put out.

FIRE SPREADS

Fire and disaster officers say the fire was detected in the upper floor of the building at about 5pm, when most workers were leaving for home.

"We are yet to determine the cause but all we want is that it be contained fast," said Mr Pius Masai, the deputy director of the National Disaster Management Unit.

"I have spoken with staff and the management and so far all of them are safe," he told the Nation on the phone.

Firefighters from the Wilson Airport and Nairobi County made frantic efforts to contain the fire, Mr Masai said.

But the fire was spreading fast due to strong winds, he added. They called in reinforcements and the fire was put out at 6pm.

DAMAGE

In statement, Amref Health Africa Group CEO Githinji Gitahi said: "There are no casualties reported and all staff are accounted for".

The cause of the fire was yet to be established, but they suspected an electric fault.

Mr Gitahi added that the fire broke out on the top most part of the building that houses the operations team.

He said they are assessing damages and will give the estimates later.

Additional reporting by Silas Apollo.