Toi Market Inferno Kills Four People As Poor Access Roads Blamed By Fire Department
Four people were confirmed dead in a Saturday morning fire at the Toi market, leaving traders with massive losses.
The fire, which began around 4 a.m., destroyed all of the business structures, leaving the famous Kibera market empty.
It is unclear how the four victims ended up at the scene of the incident, but reports indicate that they went to rescue their belongings, which were being consumed by the deadly fire.
According to Woodley area chief Nehemiah Amwocha, the fire may have started in one of the kiosks and quickly spread to other structures.
TOI MARKET FIRE IN PHOTOS (THREAD)
— Karali_Pics📸 (@karali_pics) August 3, 2024
3/8/24
At 4.45 am, Fire broke out in TOI at the Timber and wood section and this is what I witnessed as I arrived on the ground at 5 am in the morning. pic.twitter.com/SqAdKvMR1p
Locals and traders are currently combing through debris and rubble in an effort to salvage the properties.
This is not the first time the market has gone down in flames. The market is prone to frequent fires.
In June 2023, traders awoke to find their property worth millions of shillings razed.
In November 2021, a fire destroyed a section of the market’s stalls, causing traders to suffer significant losses.
In 2019, two fires broke out in the market within four years of the 2014 fire outbreak, which destroyed property of unknown value.
Toi market is on fire and 4 bodies have been burnt beyond recognition. #NaneNaneMarch #NaneNane pic.twitter.com/3ZKtzEN4lH
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) August 3, 2024
The lack of access roads has also been blamed for the slow response of fire departments.
In 2018, the market experienced three fires, prompting then-President Uhuru Kenyatta to call for an investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.
Toi Market Inferno Kills Four People As Poor Access Roads Blamed By Fire Department
