A fire broke out at a commercial building in Nairobi CBD on Monday, August 3, 2026, prompting a swift response from Nairobi County firefighters.
The affected building was later identified as Lotus House, located opposite Easy Coach in the city center.
Videos seen by The Kenya Times showed a massive fire engulfing sections of the multi-storey building, with thick black smoke billowing high into the sky above Nairobi CBD.
Large crowds of bystanders gathered outside the building, watching as firefighters battled the blaze while emergency responders secured the area.
Nairobi CBD: Fire Erupts at Lotus House, Prompting Rescue Operation
Preliminary reports indicate that scores of people may be trapped inside the building as firefighters and other emergency responders conduct rescue
According to Radio Generation, authorities were also investigating unconfirmed reports that some people were trapped inside the building during the fire.
“Fire breaks out at Lotus House opposite Easy Coach in Nairobi CBD, on August 3, 2026, prompting a swift response from Nairobi County firefighters, as authorities investigate unconfirmed reports of people trapped inside,” the report confirmed.
The cause of the fire had not been established by the time of publication, and no official information on casualties had been released.
Also Read: Jomo Kenyatta Boys High School Set on Fire
Lotus House primarily houses small commercial offices, private business agencies and retail spaces. Its first floor has historically been occupied by private corporate offices and company suites.
Previous Fire Incidents in Nairobi CBD
Before the Lotus House fire, Nairobi CBD had already experienced major commercial fire incidents in 2026.
On January 6, 2026, a fire broke out at Ramogi Building along Luthuli Avenue, disrupting business operations and forcing authorities to cordon off the affected area.
Earlier this year, another fire was also reported within the Luthuli Avenue commercial corridor, adding to concerns over recurring fire outbreaks in Nairobi’s central business district.
Also Read: Deaths as Another Tragedy Strikes Gikomba Market
Fire Burned for More Than 12 Hours
According to reports, the fire started on Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday midday, firefighters were still working to fully extinguish the blaze, raising concerns about firefighting capacity and emergency response.
Firefighters managed to salvage some property from the affected building as authorities secured the area. The cause of the fire had not been established.
The prolonged operation disrupted business activities, with sections of the area remaining cordoned off as emergency crews continued their work.
Some witnesses questioned the length of time taken to contain the fire, noting that the blaze continued burning for more than 12 hours before it was brought under control.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
