A night fire rendered several people homeless and destroyed businesses of an unknown value in Nairobi’s Vietnam Village in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society.
In a statement, the Kenya Red Cross Nairobi Branch said the fire broke out around 8:21 p.m. on Sunday, December 15.
The Society confirmed that the fire affected a residential area, and a response team was dispatched to the scene.
“A fire has broken out at Vietnam Village, Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi County, affecting a residential area. Response teams, led by the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade, are on the ground working to contain the situation,” read the update.
In a follow-up statement, Kenya Red Cross reported that the fire had been contained but five people sustained injuries during the incident.
The Society added that the fire affected approximately 70 households and 10 businesses.
“The fire has been contained thanks to the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade and community members. Four minor casualties were treated on-site, while one critical case was evacuated to the hospital. Approximately 70 households and 10 businesses are reportedly affected,” read the update.
Kenya Red Cross Last Fire Incident
This incident follows a similar one in Kitui Village, Majengo, Nairobi, on November 19, where around 50 households were affected, and 16 people sustained minor injuries.
All the injured people were treated by Kenya Red Cross.
Also Read: Kenya Red Cross Responds to Reports on Delayed Payments
Protecting Homes from Fire
Rhoda Afriyie Mensah, a fire protection engineer specializing in the Aammability of materials conducted research on how materials behave under fire conditions.
In her findings, Rohad provided the following simple, low-cost ways to protect homes from fire hazards.
1.Keep a bucket of sand outside every home. Every household should have a bucket of sand in easy to access areas. Sand is an excellent fire suppressant and can be used when water is not available.
It is efficient for fires caused by flammable liquids like paraffin and is poured over the flames, cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply.
2.Make a fire blanket. Households can make natural fire blankets from cotton or wool and use them to contain small fires.
Also Read: Modern Coast Issues Statement After Bus Caught Fire on Nakuru Highway
3.Ensure Proper Ventilation While Cooking. Keep cooking areas well-ventilated to reduce fire risks. Many kitchen fires arise from malfunctioning stoves or open flames. When using charcoal or kerosene, always cook in a ventilated space to avoid gas buildup.
4.Manage vegetation. Homeowners are advised to trim bushes and trees and maintain a cleared area by removing dead leaves, branches and debris.
5.Regularly Inspect Electrical Systems. Faulty wiring and overloaded outlets are common causes of fires in African homes. Schedule regular checks of electrical systems, ideally by a qualified electrician.
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