Hundreds Trapped as Fire Engulfs Major Shopping Complex in Nairobi's Eastleigh
Nairobi, 3 March 2026
A devastating blaze has consumed Yare Plaza in Eastleigh, with dramatic footage showing people escaping from upper floors using cables and ropes to reach neighbouring buildings. The fire has brought traffic to a standstill in the bustling commercial district known as ‘Little Mogadishu’, which serves as a vital hub for East African refugees and diaspora businesses. Emergency services are conducting frantic rescue operations amid concerns that hundreds remain trapped inside the multi-storey complex. The incident marks the latest in a worrying surge of fires across Nairobi since January 2026, including recent blazes in Kangemi and along Luthuli Avenue that destroyed properties worth millions of pounds.
Emergency Response Underway
Firefighters from Nairobi City County have arrived at the scene to contain the blaze and assist with evacuation efforts [1]. Witnesses report seeing thick black smoke and towering flames emerging from the multi-storey building as shoppers and tenants desperately attempted to escape [2]. The dramatic rescue scenes include people trapped on upper floors using cables and ropes to slide down to neighbouring buildings [1]. The fire has caused massive traffic congestion in the area, bringing movement to a near standstill on Eastleigh’s characteristically busy roads [1].
Pattern of Recent Fire Incidents
The Yare Plaza fire represents the latest incident in a concerning trend of blazes that have swept across Nairobi since the beginning of 2026 [1]. Just one week prior, on Wednesday 26th February, a massive fire broke out in a residential building in Kangemi along Marega Road in the Bata area, destroying properties worth millions and leaving several residents homeless [1]. The pattern extends back to January, with a fire occurring at a building along busy Luthuli Street on Saturday 10th January, followed by another incident on the same street just four days earlier on 6th January [1][2]. Security agencies later determined that the 6th January blaze was triggered by an electrical fault during routine repair work [1].
Investigation and Unknown Causes
The cause of the Yare Plaza fire remains unclear, with many residents unable to identify what triggered the blaze [1][2]. Security agencies have assured the public that they will launch a comprehensive probe into the incident to determine the exact cause of the inferno [1]. This uncertainty mirrors the investigation challenges faced with previous incidents, as authorities were unable to establish the cause of the Luthuli Avenue fire that occurred on 10th January [2]. The Kenya Red Cross has confirmed its involvement in the emergency response, with the Red Cross Action Team activated to support ongoing operations [2].
Impact on Eastleigh’s Commercial Hub
The fire has significant implications for Eastleigh’s role as a vital commercial centre serving the East African refugee and diaspora community [GPT]. The area, commonly known as ‘Little Mogadishu’, hosts numerous businesses that cater to Somali refugees and migrants who use the district for commerce and transit [GPT]. Emergency response teams are working to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings in the densely populated commercial zone [2]. The full extent of property damage and the number of affected businesses remains unclear as rescue operations continue and firefighters work to bring the situation under control [2].