Firefighters take their time as huge fire razes Gikomba market – PHOTOS
Nairobi fire brigade took over two hours on Friday to reach Gikomba market where a huge fire was destroying businesses and properties.
Owners of stalls at the market watched helplessly as their wares were reduced to ashes, their only hope arriving hours later to pour water on their already burnt stock.
The fire started Friday at 3am and destroyed property worth millions. Efforts to put it out are ongoing.
No casualties have been reported so far.
A large crowd gathered at market as police officers struggled to keep would be looters at bay.
Head of security and compliance Francis Munyambu said they brought all the county’s fire engines but the congestion and inaccessibility in the markets has hindered the rescue.
He added that increased number of tradrs trying to salvage their wares interfered with the fire fighting effort. They have also called in reinforcement from G4S fire fighting team.
“Due to the nature of the market that mainly contains flammable materials like clothes and make shift vibanda the fire is spreading fast but we are trying to contain it,” said Mr Munyambu
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