A Range Rover fire brought traffic to a standstill on the busy Nairobi Expressway, with the luxury vehicle turning into ashes after burning completely right along Mombasa Road. Witnesses watched in disbelief as flames shot up from the front, reducing the pricey SUV to a charred shell in no time.
The whole thing kicked off around 9:04 a.m. near the Southern Bypass Entrance B, close to the Standard Group building. Drivers heading toward Mlolongo noticed smoke pouring out first. One motorist pulled over and called it in, saying the car just started billowing gray clouds while moving.
Then, whoosh – fire took over. No one got hurt, thank goodness. Patrol teams from Moja Expressway jumped in quick, teaming up with police to get everyone out safe. They had the blaze under control before it could spread to other cars or cause bigger problems.
Eyewitness accounts paint a scary picture. A guy stuck in the jam behind it told reporters he saw the driver hop out just as flames licked the hood. “It happened so fast,” he said.
“One minute it’s cruising; next it’s like a bonfire on wheels.” Videos popping up on social media show thick black smoke rising high, with horns blaring and people running for cover.
Firefighters arrived within minutes, hosing down the wreck until only steam remained. The road stayed blocked for a bit while crews cleared debris – twisted metal and bits of tyre scattered everywhere.
Moja Expressway put out a statement soon after, blaming mechanical failure for the mess. They urged folks to drive carefully around that spot, even after things cleared up. No word yet on what exactly went wrong – maybe an engine fault or something electrical.
Investigations are underway, with experts poking through the remains to figure it out. For now, the company says their teams handled it well, keeping injuries at zero and traffic flowing again by midday.
This stretch of Mombasa Road sees heavy use every day. Trucks, taxis, and personal cars zip through, connecting Nairobi to the coast. Incidents like this remind everyone how quickly things can turn bad.
Just last year, a similar fire took out a sedan not far from here, also pinned on bad wiring. Road safety groups often warn about regular checks, especially for high-end rides like Range Rovers that pack powerful engines. Overheating or fuel leaks can spark trouble without warning.
Nairobi drivers shared their takes online right away. One post described the scene as “straight out of an action movie”, with flames taller than the barriers.
Another user joked about insurance claims, but most expressed relief no one ended up in hospital. Police confirmed the vehicle belonged to a local business owner who was on his way to a meeting. He walked away shaken but okay, later thanking responders for their speed.
Events like this push for better maintenance habits across the board. Mechanics in the city say luxury cars need extra attention – oil changes, brake checks, the works. Skipping them invites risks, especially on fast lanes where stopping isn’t easy. Authorities might step up inspections or awareness drives after this, aiming to cut down on breakdowns that lead to fires.
But the image of that burning Range Rover sticks in minds. It shows how everyday drives can flip in seconds. Owners of fancy vehicles might think twice now, scheduling that overdue service appointment.
