Fire breaks out at 20th Century building in Nairobi

A fire fighter at the 20th Century building in Nairobi following an incident on March 25, 2019. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Crowds gathered at safe distances in the central business district as smoke billowed from the building and county fire fighters rushed to the scene on Mama Ngina Street.
  • The cause of the fire and the value of property lost were not immediately clear. However, everything in dry cleaning outlet was burnt to ashes.

Two people sustained minor injuries when a fire broke out at 20th Century building in Nairobi on Monday afternoon, after an explosion in a dry cleaning shop on the ground floor.

Crowds gathered at safe distances in the central business district as smoke billowed from the building and county fire fighters rushed to the scene on Mama Ngina Street.

John Opinde, a security guard at the building, said a small cloud of smoke was followed by sparks and then the explosion.

Mr Opinde identified the two people as a pregnant woman and a man who had been working at the dry cleaner's.

He said he saw them rushing out of the building soon after the explosion.

“The pregnant woman was rushed to hospital in an ambulance since she had had difficulties breathing due to the smoke," he said.

Her colleague, a dry cleaning machine operator, was also taken for medical checks.

The security officer said no serious injuries were reported; he said most of the people in the building suffered the effects of exposure to smoke or minor bruises while scampering for safety.

Other witnesses told the Nation that the fire fighters arrived on time and contained the fire.

A view of the damage at the 20th Century building in the Nairobi CBD following a fire on March 25, 2019. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Part of the damage at the 20th Century building in the Nairobi CBD following a fire on March 25, 2019. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The building has facilities including IMAX Theatre, restaurants, a clothing store and an art gallery.

The cause of the fire and the value of property lost were not immediately clear. However, everything in dry cleaning outlet was burnt to ashes.

Abdul Ibrahim, IMAX manager, said he tried to help using a fire extinguisher after learning of the incident.

“When I realised I couldn’t handle the fire I asked our clients and staff members to rush out of the hall. They were happy with the quick response by the fire fighting team and also because no serious injuries were reported,” he said.

About two weeks ago, a huge fire razed a section of Toi Market in Kibera, some seven kilometres from the CBD.

Witnesses said the flames broke out at 3am and that by 6am, property worth millions of shillings had been reduced to ashes.

Several businesspeople suffered severe cuts and burns as they rushed to try and salvage their property.

A fire fighter at the 20th Century building in the Nairobi CBD during a breakout on March 25, 2019. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A fire fighter responds to an incident at the 20th Century building in Nairobi on March 25, 2019. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Fire fighters respond to an incident at the 20th Century building in Nairobi on March 25, 2019. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP