Reports reaching the desk of Africa Today News, New York has it that a huge gas blast in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has injured scores of people with fears of several deaths that is yet-to-be ascertained.
According to government soruces, gas cylinders were being refilled at a plant in Embakasi district when the blast happened just before midnight (21:00 GMT).
Video obtained by Africa Today News, New York showed a huge fire raging close to blocks of flats.
The Kenyan Red Cross said 271 people had been taken to “health facilities” across the capital, and a further 27 people were assessed at the scene.
Local media reported at least two people had died.
A photo taken by Reuters news agency shows a body covered by a sheet, surrounded by onlookers.
The cause of the blast is still being established.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the explosion had occurred at the Kentainers Company ltd near Kabansora in Embakasi.
“The company was refilling gas cylinders when fire broke out and several people [were] injured and rushed to hospital,” he posted on X.
“The building hosting the company is badly damaged. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area as rescue operations are underway including fire engines being deployed to the area.”
The blaze is reported to have spread through several apartment complexes, leading to fears the number of casualties could rise further.
Witnesses told local media they had felt tremors immediately after the blast.
One of those hurt, Boniface Sifuna, described what had happened for Reuters news agency: “I got burnt by an exploding gas canister as I was trying to escape,” he said.
“It exploded right in front of me and the impact knocked me down and the flames engulfed me. I am lucky that I was strong enough to get away.”
An unnamed eyewitness speaking to reporters spoke of “huge explosions, huge fireballs, people screaming and running everywhere for fear of more explosions”.