A major fire broke out in residential buildings behind Posta area in Kangemi, Nairobi, on Thursday, August 13, sending residents into panic.
Videos from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky as the fire engulfed the buildings, with residents scrambling to escape and save whatever they could.
Residents were seen running from the affected area, with some attempting to salvage household items as the fire continued to spread through the structures.
Others raised the alarm over people believed to be trapped inside the buildings, amid fears of possible casualties as the blaze intensified.
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This comes days after a massive fire broke out at Dagahaley Market in Dadaab, Garissa County, leaving traders counting losses.
In a statement on Monday, August 10, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) expressed sympathy to those affected.
"I am deeply saddened by the fire incident at Dagahaley Market and extend my heartfelt sympathies to the traders, families and members of the wider Dadaab community who have been affected," the statement read.
DRS also called on residents to remain calm and prioritise their safety as efforts to respond to the incident continue.
"As the situation continues to unfold, I urge everyone to remain calm, prioritise their safety, and extend support to those affected.
"I also appeal to all members of the community to cooperate with the authorities and response teams as they work to contain the situation and provide assistance," the statement added.
The department said it was coordinating with authorities and partners to assess the impact of the fire and provide support to those affected by the incident.
"The Department of Refugee Services is working closely with the relevant authorities and partners on the ground to support the ongoing response, assess the impact of the incident, and identify and address the immediate needs of those affected," the statement concluded.
Prior to that, a massive fire erupted at the Machakos Mitumba Market.
The fire broke out on Saturday, July 4, at around midnight and destroyed several stalls in the market.
In a statement on Sunday, July 6, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti expressed sympathy with the affected traders.
"I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire at Machakos Mitumba Market that has destroyed businesses and disrupted the livelihoods of many hardworking traders. I stand in solidarity with all the affected traders and their families during this difficult time," read part of the statement.
Ndeti assured affected traders that her administration would assess the extent of the damage and support recovery efforts.
"My administration will stand with every affected trader as we assess the damage and support recovery efforts. I remain committed to building a modern, safe, and well-planned trading centre that will provide our traders with a secure and dignified business environment," she added.
