Traders at Toi Market are counting losses after an early morning fire razed stalls and destroyed property of unknown value on Saturday, August 3.
Preliminary reports indicate that the fire broke out at Toi Market at 4 am on Saturday as a result of an electrical fault.
The blaze started at one section of the Kibera-based market before spreading through to other stalls.
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Firefighters from Nairobi County were called to the market to put out the fast-moving inferno.
Photos seen by Nairobileo.co.ke showed a huge fire ravaging part of Toi market, with huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. Some traders were also captured trying to save their property from being destroyed by the inferno.
Four people including a child have been reported to have been burnt beyond recognition at Toi market.
The four victims were attempting to save their property in the market when they were overpowered by the inferno.
This is not the first time the Toi market has been hit by fire. Over the years, traders have suffered losses due to frequent fires.
In June 2023, another fire burnt down the Toi market with properties worth millions of shillings being destroyed, leaving traders counting losses.
The market also experienced an inferno in November 2021 that burnt down a section of the market stalls, with traders blaming the lack of access roads for the slow response from firefighters.
The Toi market has also experienced fires in 2019 and 2018.
Commenting on the incident, Senator Edwin Sifuna said, "We had another fire at Toi Market this morning. I have spoken to area MP Peter Orero who confirms four people tragically lost their lives. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire Toi family. As the leadership in Nairobi, we stand with you and will do our best not only to help restore your businesses but to make sure we put an end to these incessant fires in our markets."
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