Chaos and flames rocked the Pipeline area near Barnabas stage in Nakuru County in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, after a fuel tanker suddenly exploded, unleashing a catastrophic fire that engulfed multiple other tankers.
Eyewitness footage obtained by Wamuzinews.co.ke shows a terrifying inferno swallowing up the parked tankers as thick smoke billowed into the sky. Panic swept through the area as the fire threatened to spread to nearby residential and commercial properties, prompting a rapid emergency response.
Firefighters and rescue teams raced to the scene in a desperate attempt to contain the blaze. While the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, initial reports suggest that—miraculously—no injuries or fatalities have been confirmed so far.
The fire forced a temporary closure of the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway, one of Kenya’s busiest roads, causing massive traffic disruptions and leaving commuters stranded for hours. Authorities quickly issued advisories urging motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes, as the fire raged dangerously close to the highway.
Despite warnings, curious onlookers crowded near the scene, some recording videos, others stunned by the chaos unfolding before them.At the time of publishing, both the Nakuru County Government and national police had not released an official statement regarding the cause or extent of the damage.
This horrifying incident comes just days after another fire tragedy struck Nairobi’s Kibra slums on Wednesday night, June 11, leaving over 100 families homeless. Narrow alleys and congested pathways made it nearly impossible for fire engines to reach the scene in time, resulting in devastating losses for both residents and business owners.
Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, flanked by local MP Peter Orero, visited the Kibra victims and pledged government support.“Fires are becoming disturbingly frequent in Kenya’s informal settlements,” Ruku said.
“We are committed to preventing these disasters and protecting our citizens.”He added that emergency relief would be dispatched to affected families to help them rebuild their lives.
As investigations continue into the Nakuru fire, Kenyans are demanding answers and stronger fire safety measures across the country.
