Passengers evacuated as fire disrupts JKIA services

Fire destroy baggage belt-system at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)terminal 1C in Nairobi on 4th April 2019. Photos courtesy

NAIROBI, KENYA:A fire broke out at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday night and disrupted operations for hours.

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials said the fire broke out at about 11.44pm at the airport's Terminal 1C.

They said the fire was caused by a baggage belt system malfunction, adding that Terminal 1C was temporarily cordoned off, and its flight operations moved to Terminal 1B.

“All passengers and staff at the terminal were evacuated safely and the fire contained by the airport’s fire team. No injuries have been reported,” the officials said.

Resumed operations

However, by 11am yesterday, the authority said operations had resumed at the affected Terminal.

“The terminal is currently servicing departure flight operations by Etihad, Air Arabia, Rwanda Air, Ethopian and Swiss International airlines,” KAA said.

The airport is usually busy with international flights at that time.

In August 2013, a fire broke out at JKIA at the immigration and customs area in the International Arrivals building.

Property was destroyed in the incident that forced President Uhuru Kenyatta to take note of how delicate operations at the airport could be.

Arriving flights were diverted to Moi International airport, Mombasa, and Eldoret International airport.

This led to the construction of the new Terminal 1C that was affected by the fire on Wednesday night.