Property destroyed as huge fire engulfs Gikomba market in Nairobi

Huge fire razed down Gikomba Market on Tuesday morning destroying property worth millions. [Photo: Courtesy]

Nairobi, Kenya: A huge fire razed down Gikomba market in Nairobi on Tuesday morning destroying property worth millions.

Efforts to contain it are ongoing. No casualties have been reported so far. The fire broke out at about 3am in the morning, burning down several property including second hand clothes and other valuables stored in the market. 

Police say they are yet to know the cause of the fire and that there are five fire engines at the scene battling the fire. 

Nairobi head of police Benson Kibue said the fire is suspected to have started from one of the stores before spreading to others. 

"The main challenge we have in containing the fire is accessibility. There are no roads, hence the continued spread," said Kibue. 

The incident has displaced many traders who rely on the market.

Gikomba is the biggest open air market in the region and many people visit it daily to buy things like food stuff and clothes. 

A large crowd was gathered at the scene as police officers were deployed to keep at bay looters, who wanted to take advantage of the situation.

This is the second fire incident in a month.