Seven injured, vehicles burnt as LPG truck explodes in Limuru

LPG truck exploded in Mutarakwa, Limuru

About seven people were on February 13, 2022 injured after an LPG truck exploded in Mutarakwa, Limuru

About seven people have been injured after an LPG truck exploded in Mutarakwa, Limuru leaving a trail of destruction. Six vehicles were burnt by the huge fire.

According to Limuru Deputy Sub County Police Commander Anthony Thumi, the injured people were taken to Ndeiya Hospital.

Seven injured, vehicles burnt after LPG truck bursts into flames

Mr Thumi said that the tanker exploded during rescue efforts, and was headed to Kisumu from Mombasa.

The seven people who sustained burns, were rushed to Kikuyu Mission Hospital.

“The tanker, which belonged to Multi Energy Company Limited overturned at around 6 am yesterday morning. However,  at  11.30am, the management of the company brought in a crane to transfer the LPG gas tank to another truck, which would then proceed on the journey. At that point there was a leakage from the tank, followed immediately by a huge explosion, which led to burning of three trailers, crane and three cars. There were no fatalities,” said Mr Thumi.

Anthony Njau, a resident of the area, and who was among the eye witnesses said he found the rescue team at the site before the explosion happened, adding that he had tried warding off villagers out of fear of getting burnt.

“In the morning we found people here who had come to handle the situation, but now they are the ones who have been hurt.  One of them got burns on his stomach and has been taken to hospital,” he said.

He added; “These other cars that got burnt were trying to squeeze through the space left by the crane to make it to the other side. The explosion was so big and people ran out of their houses,” added Njau.

One truck heading to Nairobi, which also burnt attempted to drive through the accident scene minutes before he explosion.

“The driver stopped to speak to us. Since the crane had occupied both lanes, he wanted to squeeze through the narrow space, but I discouraged him even after  he disclosed that the truck was carrying tea leaves. Seeing the possibility of an explosion, others convinced him to reverse the truck. But I was I followed him to try and talk him out of it. Just as he opened the door to jump in, the explosion happened, and I pulled him back. That is how I got burns on my left hand and leg,” narrated Peter Kinyanjui Wanjiru.

“These trees that line the road helped a great deal. Were it not for the trees, the tank would have rolled down to the plain where our homes are, and probably destroyed homesteads. We made a call to Kiambu county but didn’t receive help on time. Had trhis not been handled well, we would have seen great loss of lives,” said Kinyanjui.

Stephen Githinji,  a resident, complained that the fire brigade and ambulance teams delayed to get to the scene.

However, the deputy OCPD explained that the fire was dangerous, and that the delay was minimal.

“We want the county government to up their game and ensure prompt safety of passengers and residents in scenes of accidents,” he said.