Property worth millions of shillings was reduced to ashes after a fast-spreading fire engulfed a supermarket in Ruiru town, Kiambu County on Monday, August 26, 2024, morning.
According to eyewitness, the fire, which began at around 5 am was sparked by an explosion from a generator that had been running at the PowerStar supermarket.
Residents reported that the generator had been making unusual noises and emitting smoke before suddenly exploding, igniting the fire that quickly spread through the building.
“The generator was running, then it began making funny sounds, and suddenly smoke started coming out before the fire sparked,” recounted one resident.
The fire rapidly consumed goods valued at millions of shillings, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Residents Call for the Establishment of A fire Station in the Area
Residents say that firefighters from Kiambu and Thika arrived on the scene approximately an hour later to battle the flames, as Ruiru town lacks its own dedicated fire station.
“We waited for almost 30 minutes, but the firefighters were still not here, we called them repeatedly for assistance until we gave up ” lamented another resident, highlighting the need for improved emergency response infrastructure in the area.
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The residents have appealed to the county government to set up a fire station in the area to guarantee a swift response to future emergencies.
“We are asking the local government to expand its fire services to Ruiru town. We have suffered over the years as in most cases, our property is destroyed by fire before extinguishers arrive from other parts of the county.”
“It is time that the county considers deploying a fire vehicle and other equipment in the populous Ruiru town,” said one resident.
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Ruiru DCIO Jeremiah Dubai arrived at the scene and confirmed the incident, he told journalists present that investigations were underway so as to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage.
Dubai urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or potential fire hazards to the authorities.
“We were alerted about the fire at the Supermarket at around 5 am. We mobilized teams to put out the fire and by good luck, we have managed to douse it off. We are now quantifying the damages caused. No one has been injured from the incident,” Dubai said.
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