Woman, 35, hospitalised with serious burns after Athi River gas cylinder explosion

A 35-year-old woman is admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital after she sustained serious burn injuries in Athi River, Machakos County.

Police said Celestine Nzisa, together with her husband — who is unknown to the caretaker of the house razed at Njuguini in Athi River on Thursday — were critically injured in the incident.

Nzisa was the owner of the single room located on the upper floor of the two-storey building where a 6kg gas cylinder exploded, resulting in the inferno that razed 18 other rooms.

She is among the tenants who lost all their belongings to the fire.

Police, in their follow-up report of the incident, stated that the whereabouts of Nzisa’s husband were not known by press time.

The report was made at Athi River Police Station on Friday.

"Police officers from Athi River Police Station and DCI Athi River, together with the Scene of Crime personnel, visited the scene of the fire at Njuguini California area. It was established that the California building is owned by one Mutuvi Ali Nyalo, who said that the fire started at around 8:30pm from single room 42 on the upper floor occupied by one Celestine Nzisa, aged 35 years. Nzisa sustained burns and was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, while her husband, unknown to the caretaker, also sustained burns. His details and the hospital he was rushed to are yet to be established," the police report seen by the Star read in part.

"That, a 6kg gas cylinder exploded, igniting the fire that spread to adjacent rooms where no one was injured, and property of unknown value was razed," police said.

Police said the fire was contained by fire brigades from both Machakos and Kajiado county governments.

The scene was documented, and the burnt 6kg gas cylinder and samples of burnt debris were collected and kept as exhibits for further analysis.

The case is pending investigation by the Athi River Subcounty Criminal Investigations Officer.