Three individuals have died, together with a toddler, after a lorry loaded with gasoline cylinders exploded close to an industrial web site in Nairobi – igniting a “large fireball” which unfold to close by houses and warehouses.

Officers stated 271 individuals have been injured and brought to hospital following the blasts within the Embakasi neighbourhood of Kenya‘s capital.

The explosions befell on Thursday at round 11:30pm native time (8:30pm UK time), with many individuals thought to have been inside their houses when the hearth reached their properties, authorities spokesman Isaac Mwaura stated.

Embakasi police warned the variety of deaths may rise.

A number of automobiles and companies have been additionally broken within the inferno.

A witness instructed Kenya’s Nation information web site there have been “large explosions” and “large fireballs”, with “individuals screaming and operating in all places for concern of extra explosions”.

Mr Mwaura wrote on X {that a} lorry carrying gasoline cylinders within the space exploded earlier than “igniting an enormous fireball that unfold extensively”. He stated one of many “flying” cylinders struck a textiles warehouse and burned it down.

Mr Mwaura added: “Consequently, the inferno additional broken a number of automobiles and industrial properties, together with many small and medium-sized companies.

“Sadly, residential homes within the neighbourhood additionally caught hearth, with a very good variety of residents nonetheless inside because it was late at night time.”

The automobile believed to have began the explosion was flipped on its aspect, and solely the shell remained on the street.

The roof of a four-storey residential constructing about 200 metres from the scene of the blast was additionally destroyed by a flying gasoline cylinder.

The reason for the preliminary blast is unknown.

A complete of 167 individuals have been taken to the town’s Mama Lucy Hospital for therapy, together with 142 adults and 25 youngsters, native media reported. The Commonplace newspaper stated a lot of them had inhalation accidents.

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The Kenya Purple Cross stated on X earlier that crews had been “tirelessly battling the flames” and that it had taken 29 individuals to the Kenyatta Nationwide Hospital.

It later stated workers had efficiently helped reunite 21 youngsters with their dad and mom.

Alfred Juma, who lives within the space, stated his dwelling was destroyed within the blast.

Mr Juma stated he awakened his neighbours and inspired them to go away after he heard a loud noise.

He stated he grabbed two youngsters they usually hid in a sewage ditch till the explosions stopped.

Mr Juma additionally stated he warned a automotive to not drive by way of the world – however the driver insisted and his automobile stalled due to the fumes.

“He tried to start out the automotive thrice and that is when there was an explosion and the hearth unfold into the [warehouse] setting off different explosions.”

Caroline Karanja, who additionally lives close to the positioning, stated: “Police have been turning away everybody and so it was troublesome to entry my home and I needed to search a spot to sleep till this morning.”

Ms Karanja stated the odor and smoke have been nonetheless intense on Friday morning, and he or she must keep away for some time as a result of she had younger youngsters.

The shut proximity of the commercial agency’s constructing to houses has prompted questions over the enforcement of metropolis zoning guidelines.

Officers have beforehand been accused of taking bribes to miss constructing codes and laws.