Fire Breaks Out at Sarit Centre

Fire broke out in one of Nairobi's famous shopping mall, Sarit Centre in Westlands on Friday morning in what initial investigations pointed out to an electric fault.

An officer manning the popular joint said the inferno was first seen from a cyber cafe, chemist and a flight booking office on the ground floor of the premises.

Workers and shoppers were asked to vacate the premises as huge dark smoke emanated from the shopping mall.

In a statement on Friday morning, Sarit Centre confirmed that there was fire at the mall, but indicated that it had been contained.

“We would like to inform all our tenants and shoppers that there was a small fire in one of our outlets on the ground floor which has now been contained by Sarit Centre security, staff and the Nairobi County Fire Department. No injuries reported,” the mall management said.

However, various media outlets are reporting that thick smoke was still billowing from the roof of the building at 2pm even as shoppers and motorists were still being evacuated.

Several Nairobi County government fire engines have been running in and out of the premises as they attempt to put off the fire. No injuries or casualties have so far been reported.

More than 25,000 people visit the mall daily to shot, a statement on the Sarit Centre website says.