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Probe launched into JKIA land fire
Police have launched investigations into the fire that broke out on Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) land along the Eastern Bypass on Friday, February 21.
The fire, which started at around 6:30 pm along the JKIA perimeter fence on North Airport Road, was contained by around 10pm
“The National Police Service, in collaboration with other agencies, has launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire,” Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said in a statement.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) had earlier stated that the fire, which broke out at the country’s busiest airport, was contained by 10 pm and had not affected flight takeoffs or landings.
In a statement at 9:40 pm, KAA reassured the public that the fire, which affected a non-operational area surrounding the airport, had been successfully contained and posed no threat to airport operations.
“The fire, which affected a non-operational area surrounding the airport, has been successfully contained and poses no threat to airport operations,” KAA said.
It further assured the public that the fire did not impact any critical infrastructure or operational zones at JKIA.
Fire breaks out at JKIA Airport along 75 Airport North Road. Fire engines and police are on-site working to contain the blaze and ensure safety.
A coordinated effort involving the KAA Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and the Nairobi County Fire Unit was instrumental in bringing the situation under control, KAA added.
"All airport activities, including flight schedules, passenger processing, and cargo handling, remain fully operational and unaffected," the statement read.
KAA emphasized that the fire was confined to grassland areas and did not disrupt any essential services at the airport.
Fire breaks out at JKIA Airport along 75 Airport North Road. Fire engines and police are on-site working to contain the blaze and ensure safety.
Discarded cigarette
A source at KAA, who requested anonymity pending an official statement from the authority, suggested that the fire might have been caused by a discarded cigarette on the dry grass.
This incident is the latest in a series of fire-related events at JKIA.
In March 2024, an electrical fault caused a fire at Terminal 1E, resulting in a temporary shutdown and the redirection of flight arrivals to Terminal 1A.
Similarly, in November 2024, a vehicle fire in the airport’s parking garage was swiftly contained without disrupting operations.
The most significant incident occurred in August 2013, when a massive fire destroyed the international arrivals hall, leading to a complete airport shutdown. Investigations later attributed the cause to an electrical fault.
