Fire erupts at chemical building in Kariobangi North

Panic has gripped residents of Kariobangi North Ward in Embakasi North Constituency, Nairobi, on Friday after a fire broke out in a chemical building at Light Industries, sending smoke billowing into the sky.

The inferno, which affected a low-rise building in the busy industrial area, forced residents and workers in nearby premises to flee to safety.

A thick smoke was visible from a distance as people scampered out of the building and surrounding compounds.

Some residents were seen attempting to fight the flames with buckets of water in the desperate minutes before fire trucks arrived.

The cause of the fire remains unclear, though preliminary reports indicate that power lines in the area were also affected.

The incident quickly drew large crowds of onlookers who gathered to witness the unfolding chaos, despite appeals to keep a safe distance.

Emergency response teams from Nairobi County eventually arrived on the scene with fire engines and embarked on efforts to contain the blaze.

The full extent of the damage and whether there were any casualties are yet to be confirmed.