Dozens of families were displaced on Thursday after a fire swept through residential buildings behind the Posta area in Kangemi, Nairobi, destroying homes and prompting an emergency response from county firefighters and other rescue agencies.
The blaze broke out shortly after midday in the densely populated neighbourhood, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky as residents scrambled to salvage their belongings and move to safety. Nairobi City County firefighters were deployed to the scene to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring structures.
By Thursday afternoon, emergency crews were still battling the fire while police and rescue personnel secured the area and assisted affected residents. Authorities had not confirmed any fatalities or injuries, although initial reports indicated that search and rescue teams were combing the affected area to ensure no one remained trapped inside the damaged buildings.
Officials also said the cause of the fire had not been established, and investigations are expected to begin once the scene is declared safe. The number of houses destroyed or damaged had not been confirmed, with authorities continuing to assess the extent of the destruction.
Witnesses told local media that the flames spread rapidly through the closely built residential structures, forcing many families to flee with only a few personal belongings. Videos and photographs shared from the scene showed residents attempting to contain the blaze before firefighters arrived, while smoke engulfed part of the settlement.
The affected area forms part of Kangemi, one of Nairobi’s densely populated informal settlements, where many homes are constructed close to one another. Such conditions often allow fires to spread quickly and can complicate firefighting operations due to limited access routes for emergency vehicles.
The incident adds to a series of fire outbreaks reported in Kangemi this year. Previous fires in the area have destroyed homes, displaced hundreds of families and highlighted concerns over fire safety in high-density settlements. While the causes of individual incidents have varied, authorities have repeatedly urged residents to observe fire safety measures and report emergencies promptly.
As firefighting operations continued, county officials had not released an official estimate of the number of people displaced or the value of property lost. Relief efforts and a comprehensive damage assessment are expected to follow once the fire has been fully extinguished and the affected area secured.
