Massive fire at Kenya's main airport
Posted By: Associated Press·8/7/2013 1:42:00 AM
A massive fire engulfed the arrivals hall at Kenya's main international
airport early Wednesday, forcing East Africa's largest airport to close and
the rerouting of all inbound flights.
Dark black smoke that billowed skyward was visible across much of Nairobi as
emergency teams battled the blaze.
Stranded passengers stood on sidewalks outside the airport with their
luggage in hand.
The Kenya Airports Authority said the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
has been closed until further notice so that emergency teams can battle the
fire.
Associated Press reporters at the scene said the fire had gutted the
international arrivals hall, where passengers pass through immigration and
retrieve their luggage.
As in many countries in East Africa, public sector services like police and
fire units are hobbled by small budgets and outdated or no equipment.
A British passenger, Martyn Collbeck, said he was surprised that the airport
wasn't shut down sooner so that emergency vehicles could respond.
``When I arrived there were one or two fire engines parked outside the
international arrivals.
It spread very fast,'' said Collbeck, who had been scheduled to fly back to
London on an early morning KLM flight.
"There were a couple of explosions which I think were a couple of gas
canisters.''
But, he added: ``I would have expected more fire engines to respond
faster.''
The Nairobi airport is the busiest airport in East Africa, and its closure
is likely to affect flights throughout the region.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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