Fire breaks out at Barclays branch in Murang'a

Firefighters in Murang'a were on Monday afternoon trying to put off a fire that broke out at the Barclays Bank branch.

Witnesses said there was a foul smell emanating from the bank.

Joyce Macharia, who works at a law firm next to the bank, said she saw huge smoke coming from the bank at about 1pm.

She and other people who operate near the bank had to move out of their premises for their safety.

"I was in the office when we noticed a foul smell and after it persisted, I switched off the electricity and came out of the office. I later learnt that the smoke was coming from the bank," she said.

In a statement Barclays Bank of Kenya said that “there was an electrical fault on in one of the air conditioning machines.

“Smoke from the faulty machines set off the fire alarm and the fore brigade responded immediately. The situation was contained soon after.

No injuries or damage of property was reported, the bank said.

The Barclays Bank branch is situated in Murang'a town next to Amica Savings and Credit Sacco, formerly known as Murata Sacco.