Night fire causes massive damage to historic structure at the University of Nairobi

A fire broke out on Wednesday night, January 15, at the University of Nairobi (UoN) main campus.

A fire broke out on Wednesday night, January 15, at the University of Nairobi (UoN) main campus, razing down a section of buildings in the institution.

Confirming the incident, the Kenya Red Cross Nairobi Branch disclosed that the fire affected parts of the Mahatma Gandhi Wing Block, which houses offices and a hall.

“A fire has been reported in a section of the University of Nairobi. Firefighters are at the scene. Efforts to put it out are underway,” the Kenya Red Cross Nairobi Branch stated.

Central Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Stephen Okal said the fire was contained past midnight but again broke out at dawn.

He said a new fire was detected by security on Thursday morning at about 5 am.

“The fire brigade was recalled to the scene to help contain the inferno. They have managed to contain it,” he said.\

He added no injuries were reported but property of unknown value was damaged.

“This is a historic structure and the damage caused is massive. We hope to get to the cause of the fire,” he said.

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Okal said fire experts will investigate the fire and take necessary action.

Videos shared on social media showed the intensity of the blaze, with smoke and flames visible from across the campus.

On Wednesday night, police were mobilized to keep off looters who rushed to the scene to take advantage of the situation and loot even as the fire brigade team fought to contain the spread.

The incident came ahead of planned exams at the university.

The head of Communications at the university John Orindi said they would issue further statements over the incident later on.

Kenyans online mobilized to raise the alarm and call on authorities to take action to contain the spread of the fire.

The affected structure is historic and with the institution being the oldest in the country, its damage is seen as a loss in many ways.

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