Thursday, 8 August 2013
[ TRAGEDY ] :- FIRE DESTROYS & SHUTS DOWN NAIROBI AIRPORT ? (PICTURED)
A huge fire has broken out at the main international airport in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) had been closed and passengers evacuated.Cabinet secretary for transport Michael Kamau said the fire was “very severe” and urged people to stay away from the airport. Images showed flames raging from one of the main buildings. The interior ministry tweeted that an evacuation of the entire airport was under way, with only essential personnel remaining.
There have been no reports of any casualties and the cause of the fire is not clear.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is an important regional hub for East Africa, with many long-distance flights landing there to connect to countries across the region.
He said a junior police officer told the BBC the fire had started at the airport’s immigration offices, although this has not been confirmed.
But multiple reports say the arrivals and immigration sections have been devastated by the blaze.
The BBC’s Anne Soy in Nairobi quotes the government as saying fire engines are running dangerously low on water and tankers are being used to ferry water to the airport.
A statement from the airport authority said: “We confirm reports of a fire at JKIA affecting part of [the] international arrivals building and Unit 1 departures.
“KAA Fire and Rescue Team is on [the] ground being assisted by G4S and Nairobi Fire Brigade. Passengers have been evacuated to safety.”
Mutea Iringo, a senior official at the interior and national co-ordination ministry, also confirmed “a serious fire” at JKIA, adding: “We are doing everything possible to avert a crisis.
“Apart from emergency landings, all flights into and out of JKIA have been cancelled… [the] airport has been shut down.”
Cabinet secretary for transport Mr Kamau urged people not to obstruct the work of the emergency services.
“They should allow the emergency work to continue and we kindly request even spectators, people who just want to watch, they should just keep off.”
The KAA said only emergency vehicles were allowed in the area.
SOURCE: BBC News
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