Panic and chaos have engulfed the Donholm estate in Nairobi this morning as a series of thunderous explosions ripped through a gas cylinder depot, unleashing a massive inferno that sent residents fleeing for their lives.

The incident, which began shortly after 8:00 AM EAT, has transformed the busy neighborhood into a disaster zone. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-19)Witnesses describe a scene of sheer terror: loud, bomb-like bangs echoing across the estate as gas cylinders detonated one by one, launching fireballs into the sky. Thick black smoke is currently billowing over the city skyline, visible from kilometers away, marking the location of the catastrophe.

"Like a War Zone"

The fire reportedly ignited near a food outlet before spreading with terrifying speed to the adjacent gas depot situated near the TotalEnergies station, locally known as "kwa Doc." The heat and intensity of the flames forced an immediate evacuation of nearby businesses, including a medical clinic. "If you have never heard multiple gas cylinders exploding, that is a sound you don't want to wake up to," one traumatized resident shared online.

• Emergency Response: Nairobi City County fire engines are currently on site, battling to contain the blaze and prevent it from reaching the nearby petrol station, which would trigger a secondary catastrophe.
• Casualties Unknown: As of now, authorities have not confirmed any deaths, but the intensity of the fire and the speed of its spread raise grave concerns for those who may have been trapped in the initial blast radius.
• Traffic Paralysis: The main access roads to New Donholm have been cordoned off by security personnel to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles, causing a major gridlock in the area.

A Recurring Nightmare

This incident painfully echoes the Embakasi tragedy of 2024, raising uncomfortable questions about the regulation of gas depots within residential areas. The proximity of this depot to homes and a petrol station suggests a systemic failure in zoning and safety enforcement. Residents are already demanding answers: why was a ticking time bomb allowed to operate in such a densely populated zone?

For now, the priority remains containment. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-21)But as the smoke clears, the anger of Donholm's residents is likely to burn just as fiercely as the fire that destroyed their morning peace.