Fire breaks out after a fuel tanker accident / ScreengrabResidents of Mayanja on Sunday afternoon rushed to siphon fuel from a petroleum tanker that overturned along the Bungoma-Malaba Road.
The residents were seen carrying jerricans, plastic buckets and other containers as they rushed to the scene to collect fuel from the overturned tanker.
Several boda boda riders were also seen at the scene, with their motorcycles parked around the area.
Photos posted on social media showed plumes of black smoke into the air.
Later, a massive fire erupted after the overturned petroleum tanker exploded. Emergency responses have been initiated as black smoke filled the air.
The incident caused a heavy traffic snarl-up along the Bungoma-Malaba highway.
The tanker had overturned at Mayanja, where a large crowd had gathered around the leaking vehicle before the fire broke out.
This comes days after several people died after a tanker ferrying petrol overturned and burst into flames near Paul Boit High School along the Eldoret-Turbo road.
Some residents who rushed to the scene to scoop fuel were caught up in the fire after the tanker exploded.
"A mass casualty incident has occurred along the Eldoret-Webuye road near Paul Boit Secondary School, following a petroleum tanker explosion," Kenya Red Cross said.
"Kenya Red Cross is on the ground responding in collaboration with Kenya Police and firefighters. We urge motorists to avoid the area to allow emergency response teams unhindered access."
The Uasin Gishu government launched a sensitisation drive aimed at educating residents on the dangers of fuel siphoning.
The goal is to deter residents from moving near oil tankers involved in accidents.
