Tears, losses as fire destroys Ebrahim shopping mall in Nairobi
Firefighters and rescue workers at Ebrahim shopping mall on Moi Avenue after a fire broke out.
Properties of unknown value have been destroyed after a fire ravaged the Ebrahim shopping mall on Moi Avenue in Nairobi.
The first and second floors of the building were the worst affected.
Videos shared on online platforms showed the flames spreading to neighbouring buildings, adding to the loss.
The videos also showed firefighters and fire engines battling the blaze. Police officers could be seen coordinating the response. However, business owners complained about delayed response.
"The fire station is not far from here. If they had responded faster, I bet a lot could have been saved," said a stall owner.
According to the footage, passers-by watched helplessly as the fire ravaged the building.
Police officers could be seen coordinating the response. However, business owners complained about delayed response.
The building houses various stalls selling clothes, mobile phones, laptops, shoes and beauty products, among other items.
The source of the dawn fire is yet to be established.
Cordoned off
At 10.30am, firefighters were still trying to contain the fire. The area was cordoned off.
Winnie Macharia was a stallholder dealing in rented shelves. She explained that she had over 60 customers, some with goods worth Sh200,000 and more.
Saturdays are usually slow days, but she didn't expect the turn of events that has now upended her livelihood, she offered.
"Everything is burnt down. We came here to see for ourselves. We don't know what to do," said a tearful Ms Macharia. "Suddenly there's nothing left. At least we're safe; it didn't happen when we were in the shopping centre."
Sylvester Ochonga owned a clothes shop. He says he received a call around 4am that the mall was on fire.
"Everything is destroyed. I couldn't save anything by the time I got here," said a distraught Mr Ochonga.
Mr Richard Otieno was the night guard on Saturday when the incident happened. He first saw smoke coming from the top floor of the building. Then the flames of the fire engulfed the building for the rest of the night, he explained. It was around 1am.
In panic, he called his colleague who was working the day shift. In the meantime, he said, they and the security guards nearby were seeking support from the fire and rescue department, located a few metres away.
By the time Abdul Raus, the building's day-shift security officer, arrived, there was little he could do to save the situation.
For the past four years, Mr Raus has made the mall his bread and butter. Responding to the unusual call, he braved the long, quiet night to get to work. The evening rain had sucked the life out of the city.
From 2am, he said, he had stayed to work with the fire and rescue team. The owner of the building, he told the Nation, had been notified and was on his way from Mombasa.
"There are no casualties," he said.
