Panic as Gas Depot Explodes in Donholm Estate, Nairobi
Panic swept through Donholm Estate in Nairobi on Friday morning, February 6, after a gas depot was engulfed by a fierce fire that triggered multiple explosions, sending residents fleeing for safety and prompting a swift emergency response.
Thick plumes of black smoke and towering flames were visible from several parts of the city, according to images and videos shared by eyewitnesses. The incident occurred near a Total petrol station in Donholm, opposite the Triple K area, where residents reported hearing a series of loud blasts moments after the fire broke out.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the fire spread to a gas cylinder depot, where cylinders began exploding in quick succession, heightening fear among nearby residents. The cause of the fire had not been officially established by the time of publication.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as families rushed out of their homes, some carrying children and personal belongings, while others sought refuge in open spaces away from the inferno. Vehicles parked near the scene were damaged, and windows of surrounding buildings were shattered by flying debris.
One witness captured the shock of the moment in a post on social media platform X, writing, “Felt like bombs were going off in the hood. People were screaming and running in all directions.” Another resident said the explosions were so intense that nearby houses shook, causing panic among those indoors.
According to local residents, the fire is believed to have started at a nearby eatery before spreading to a small clinic and eventually reaching the gas depot. Once the flames reached the cylinders, repeated explosions followed, forcing emergency responders to establish a safety perimeter as they battled the blaze.
Nairobi County emergency teams, including firefighters and police officers, responded to the scene and managed to contain the fire before it spread further into the densely populated neighbourhood. Their efforts prevented what could have been a far more devastating incident in the busy residential area.
County officials confirmed that the situation was brought under control, but assessments were still ongoing to determine the extent of damage. By mid-morning, authorities had not released official figures on injuries, fatalities, or the value of property destroyed.
The Donholm explosion adds to a troubling pattern of gas-related disasters in Nairobi’s Eastlands, where illegal gas refilling and storage operations have repeatedly been blamed for deadly incidents. Safety experts have long warned that the presence of gas depots and refilling points in crowded residential zones poses a major risk to public safety.
In October 2025, at least eight people were killed in a gas explosion in Kiamaiko, Huruma area, leaving around 80 families homeless. Two months earlier, in August 2025, Tassia Estate was rocked by multiple gas explosions during a major fire that caused widespread damage.
Other notable incidents include a September 2024 explosion in Ngara that destroyed more than 40 business and residential units, and the February 2024 Embakasi tragedy, where a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) truck exploded at an illegal refilling site, killing six people and injuring more than 300 others. That incident remains one of Nairobi’s deadliest industrial disasters.
Authorities have repeatedly vowed to crack down on illegal gas operations, but residents continue to express concern over enforcement gaps and the slow pace of regulatory action.
Nairobi residents have been reminded to report fires and emergencies promptly. In case of fire-related incidents, the public can contact the Nairobi Fire Department through the toll-free number 1508 or the emergency hotlines 020-2222-181 and 020-2344-599.
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Panic as Gas Depot Explodes in Donholm Estate, Nairobi
