A terrifying Donholm gas explosion ripped through the busy estate early this morning, turning quiet streets into scenes of chaos as flames shot up and cylinders blasted one after another.
It happened around dawn on Friday, February 6, right in the Kisumu Ndogo area near Savannah Road. People say the trouble started at a small eatery, maybe a cooking accident or something electrical.
The fire jumped quickly to a nearby clinic, then hit the gas cylinder depot next door. That’s when the real noise began – bang after bang as cylinders went off. Thick black smoke poured into the sky, visible from miles away in other parts of the city.
Residents didn’t wait around. Families grabbed what they could and ran. One man posted online that it sounded like bombs going off in the neighbourhood. Flying debris smashed windows in nearby buildings.
Cars got dented or worse. A few petrol cylinders rocketed out, landing who knows where. Luckily, there are no reports yet of them hitting the Total petrol station across the road, but it was close enough to scare everyone.
County fire crews rushed in fast. They fought the blaze for hours, hosing down hot spots and keeping it from spreading to apartment blocks packed with people. By midday, they had it under control. No more explosions. But the damage was done – charred structures, twisted metal, that heavy smell of burnt gas hanging in the air.
So far, no clear word on deaths or serious injuries. Officials say they’re still checking hospitals and the site. Some folks got cuts from glass or minor burns while fleeing, but nothing confirmed on bigger losses yet. Property, though – that’s another story. The eatery is gone. Clinic ruined. Depot wrecked. Nearby shops and homes with broken roofs or walls.
This hits hard because it’s not the first time. Nairobi’s Eastlands keep seeing these scares, often tied to shady gas refilling spots squeezed into residential areas.
Just last October in Huruma, Kiamaiko side, eight people died when a blast levelled homes and left dozens of families with nothing. In August before that, Tassia Estate had a string of explosions during a big fire. Ngara in September 2024 lost 40 businesses and homes to one. And who can forget Embakasi back in February 2024 – six dead, hundreds hurt when an illegal LPG truck blew up. Same pattern: crowded spots, poor safety, quick spread.
People in Donholm gathered in small groups later, talking it over. One mama said she felt the ground shake from her house two streets away. Kids looked shaken, clinging to parents. Traffic jammed up as police cordoned areas and crews cleared debris. Schools nearby sent pupils home early, just in case.
Authorities haven’t pinned down the exact cause. Investigations start now – was it faulty equipment? Overfilled cylinders? Leak no one noticed? These depots often operate without proper checks, refilling on the cheap in places they shouldn’t. Residents have complained about them for years, but they pop up anyway.
For now, the estate tries to settle. Power lines down in spots, water disrupted. Red Cross teams on the ground are helping where they can. Nairobi County promised a full report soon.
If you’re ever in a spot like this, remember the emergency lines: the fire department on toll-free 1508, or 020-2222-181 and 020-2344-599. Quick calls save lives.
Days like today remind everyone how fragile things can be in a bustling city. One spark, and everything changes. Donholm picks up the pieces, but questions linger – how many more before something bigger shifts?
