A massive fire broke out in Donholm Estate, Nairobi, on Friday, February 6, 2026, after several gas cylinders exploded.
The incident occurred in New Donholm, Embakasi East, behind a TotalEnergies petrol station and opposite Triple K, near a chicken outlet commonly known as kwa Doc. Witnesses reported hearing multiple loud explosions from a distance as gas cylinders detonated one after another.
Huge flames and thick smoke were visible across large parts of the city, raising fears of further explosions.
Preliminary reports indicate that the fire originated from a gas cylinder shop, although the exact cause of the outbreak has not yet been established.
The fire incident shattered windows and destroyed nearby vehicles
Emergency response teams have been deployed to the scene and are working to contain the blaze and secure the area.
No casualties had been confirmed by the time of publication.
Residents blamed poor safety measures and the improper handling of gas cylinders for the blaze.
“A gas cylinder shop caught fire this morning in Donholm. The cylinders were exploding one by one. Going forward, gas cylinders should only be sold at petrol stations. We are sitting with hazards in the name of convenience and promoting commerce,” one resident said.
A similar incident occurred in February 2025, involving the IBER Africa power lines behind the White House in Donholm.
The Donholm fire comes just days after a massive blaze engulfed the Golden Africa Kenya Limited factory in Lukenya, along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, on the night of Monday, February 2, 2026. The facility, which produces edible oils and soaps, suffered significant damage before being brought under control by a coordinated multi-agency response.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti confirmed that the Machakos County Emergency and Disaster Operations Centre coordinated the response, with support from the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade, G4S, and the National Youth Service (NYS).
The blaze was classified as an oil-based fire, making it more difficult to contain than a conventional structural fire.
