We won't relocate, say Embakasi residents as they recount Thursday night explosion

Charles Murila, a resident of Embakasi remembers hearing a hissing sound at around 11.30 pm on Thursday.

He says that although the sound was louder than usual, it was not uncommon because of the mill in the area.

Murila went out to the balcony to investigate where the hissing sound was coming from when he was met by the commotion.

He got concerned when he saw his neighbours moving to one specific location.

The hissing sound kept getting louder, according to Murila

"The next thing I heard was a big explosion and I saw a fire on top of my neighbour's house," he said.

He woke up his family and got them out of the house and met his neighbours, also scampering for safety.

There was a second explosion at that point which shut down electricity in the area.

Murila says that all he could hear in the darkness were screams.

He resorted to calling a friend who he says works in the county's fire department, who assured him that they were on their way.

The fire department took around 45 minutes to arrive, says the Embakasi resident.

As he continues to recount the Thursday night events, Murila urges the Nairobi county government to streamline the industries in the residential areas to avert a similar occurrence.

Despite the Thursday night incident, Murila says that this is his home and he does not intend to relocate.

Samuel Mutua, also a resident of the area says he had just gotten out of work and dozed off when his wife woke him up to the news that their neighborhood was on fire.

He set out to check what was happening when he heard a loud explosion. The father of two resorted to ensuring his kids' safety first.

Mutua says that he has been a resident of Embakasi for two years but had no idea that there was a gas company in the area.

He says that he knew the area was always closed and he found out that it was a gas company after yesterday's incident.

Mutua admits that he was traumatised by the events of Thursday night as he recounts seeing his neighbour hit by a fireball to his death.

Despite the events, Mutua also says that last night's event was accidental and he does not intend to relocate.

Several vehicles were burnt in the incident even as government on Friday revealed further details from the fire incident.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said a lorry carrying gas cylinders exploded.

"Yesterday at around 11:30 pm, there was a huge explosion at Mradi area, in Embakasi, Nairobi County. One Lorry loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely," he said 

Mwaura further revealed that a flying gas cylinder hit the Oriental Godown nearby, burning it down.  The godown deals in garments and textiles.

As a result, the inferno damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium-sized businesses.

Mwaura reported that 222 Kenyans were injured by the fire and have been rushed to various hospitals.

Some 21 survivors are at the Kenyatta National Hospital, 160 at Mama Lucy General Hospital, 19 at Mbagathi Hospital, 14 at the Modern Komarock Hospital, and eight at Nairobi West Hospital.