This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
On Tuesday, a devastating gas cylinder explosion sparked a massive fire at the Mombasa Hospital, leaving no reported casualties.
According to Coast region police commander Rashid Yakub, preliminary investigations suggest that the fire broke out at the hospital's kitchen at around 8:30 pm.
"We cannot ascertain the extent of the damage caused, but we are lucky to have no life lost," Mr. Yakub told journalists during an address at the scene.
As the fire raged on, panic set in at the hospital, forcing some patients to flee the facility. However, thanks to the swift response of the rescuers, all patients were accounted for and evacuated to nearby hospitals, including Pandya Memorial, Aga Khan, Premiere, and Coast Provincial General Hospital.
County officials, led by Deputy Governor Dr. William Kingi, visited the hospital to assess the situation and praised the coordination between the County Fire brigade, Kenya Navy, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Airports Authority, National Youth Service, the County Disaster team, the Kenya Red Cross Society, St. John's Ambulance, and the entire team.
"We have faith that this fire will be contained, thanks to our able members of the fire brigade," Dr. Kingi said, adding that all patients had been accounted for and there was no cause for worry.
