Suspected cooking gas explosion in Embakasi South leaves two dead, several injured

Two people have reportedly been killed by a suspected cooking gas explosion in Stage Mpya, Embakasi South in Nairobi, leaving several others injured.

According to witnesses that spoke to The Standard on Friday, the horrific incident that occurred on Thursday evening killed one woman on the spot, and another casualty was Friday evening reportedly pronounced dead while receiving treatment in the hospital.

"We had a loud bang that shook our apartment, and moments later, we saw an unresponsive body lying in a ditch", said a witness who sought anonymity, pointing to a shop opposite the victim's apartment.

"We later learnt that the force threw the door and window frames about 30 metres across the road, sweeping the woman who was buzzing on the balcony. It was like a bomb," she added.

A victim whose child survived the incident after her seven-year-old son was hit on the right forehead with the blocks from the affected house said her son was playing outside with other kids when the tragedy struck.

"I rushed him to Kware Kwa Macharia health facility. They referred us to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was stabilised. It was a minor injury, though his right eye still can't see well," said the mother.

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The survivor, Standard observed, was recuperating at home.

Another witness said they thought it was a nearby transformer that exploded, sending the neighbourhood into a state of confusion.

"I was with my customer when I heard the thunderous bang ...I saw the transformer burning. We thought it was the nearby transformer that exploded," said an electronics businessman with operates a shop in the affected apartment.

"The Kenya power officials arrived shortly and put off the lights in this area," added the businessman, who did not want to be named.

They said emergency responders arrived within half an hour, with the police from Kware police station appearing about two hours later, while others, they believed were Directorate of Criminal Investigation officers, arrived later.

"The officers picked the body and collected the gas and cooker for further examination," they said.

Panic and anxiety have engulfed the area as the residents, who are still in disbelief, continue to mill around the residential flat since the incident took place last evening.

"We are shocked, we've never seen such a thing happen. It is strange. People have been flocking here since the incident happened. We can't even sleep because of the noise," said Emily Anyango, who stays in a neighbouring apartment.

According to the deceased neighbours, the two were believed to be sisters staying together in the rented apartment and had just arrived from a burial in the village before the incident.

The Standard could not reach the apartment's management by the time of going to the press.