Traders Counting Losses as Another Fire Razes Down Toi Market

Traders Counting Losses as Another Fire Razes Down Toi Market

Aerial View of Toi Market Fire An aerial shot of Toi Market engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising and traders scrambling to save belongings.

For the fifth time in recent years, traders at Toi Market are facing significant losses after a devastating fire destroyed their stalls. The fire, suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault, broke out around 4 am on Saturday morning. Traders rushed to the well-known market, attempting to salvage whatever they could from the rapidly spreading blaze.

An eyewitness reported, "An electric fault in one of the wooden houses caused the fire early this morning," highlighting the vulnerability of the market's infrastructure. The Nairobi County Government’s firefighters eventually arrived to combat the fire.

However, the gathered crowd voiced their frustration, noting that the firefighting team arrived hours after the blaze began. Despite the proximity of the fire station to Toi Market and clear roads that could have facilitated a quicker response, the delay was evident.

Toi Market has become notorious for frequent fire incidents, forcing traders to rebuild their businesses repeatedly. Just under a year ago, on June 11, 2023, a similar fire caused by an electrical fault devastated the market, leading to significant losses for traders.

Traders Salvaging Goods Traders sift through charred remains of their stalls at Toi Market, searching for any salvageable items amidst the debris.

At that time, traders and residents criticized the Nairobi County fire brigade for arriving with trucks that had no water. "How can you bring trucks that have no water? I witnessed it myself; three of them came and they told us that they need to get the water from Nairobi water," one trader recounted.

Efforts to extinguish previous fires have been hindered by the market's narrow roads and pathways, which make access difficult. Despite numerous calls for improved safety measures, little progress has been made. Government promises and political assurances have not translated into effective action, leaving traders in a constant state of vulnerability.

Firefighters Navigating Narrow Paths Firefighters struggle to navigate the narrow, congested pathways of Toi Market while battling the blaze, surrounded by smoke and debris.

Questions Related to the Article

1. What is suspected to have caused the recent fire at Toi Market?
2. How did the traders react when the fire broke out early in the morning?
3. What challenges have firefighters faced in responding to fires at Toi Market?
4. How have previous fire incidents at Toi Market impacted the traders?
5. What criticisms have been directed at the Nairobi County fire brigade regarding their response to the fires?