Traders at Toi Market are counting losses after a fire broke out and spread rapidly through several stalls, destroying goods and property of unknown value.
Witnesses said the Monday morning blaze started suddenly and quickly engulfed a section of the busy market, leaving many traders unable to salvage their merchandise.
“The fire spread very fast through the stalls. We tried to save some of our goods, but most of them were already burning. I have lost everything, and I don’t know where to start again,” said one trader.
Another trader said the fire was eventually contained after traders and residents joined hands with firefighters who arrived at the scene.
“Traders and people around here tried to control the fire before it spread further. When the firefighters came, we managed to put it out,” the trader said.
However, some traders criticised the response time of emergency services, claiming firefighters arrived late as the flames continued to destroy property.
“We called for help, but the firefighters took a long time to arrive. By the time they came, many stalls had already been destroyed,” another trader said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and authorities are expected to launch investigations.
The latest incident has once again raised concerns among traders in Kibra, where repeated fires have been reported at the market over the years.
In Toi Market fire of August 2024, four people lost their lives after a fire swept through the market.
The victims were burnt beyond recognition, highlighting the devastating impact such incidents continue to have on traders and residents in the area.
The market has become prone to frequent fires.In June 2023, traders woke up to their property worth millions of shillings being razed.
In November 2021, a fire razed a section of stalls at the market, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
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