Fire Erupts at Lotus House Along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi CBD

There was panic in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Monday, August 3, after a fire broke out at Lotus House near Afya Centre.

The fire started on the first floor of the commercial building, sending thick smoke into the air and attracting large crowds of people.

Witnesses at the scene said some people were feared trapped inside as firefighters and other emergency teams rushed to contain the blaze.

Initial efforts by members of the public to put out the fire using fire extinguishers were unsuccessful because the flames spread quickly, making it difficult to access the affected area.

The cause of the fire had not been established by the time of publishing.

Traffic Disrupted Along Tom Mboya Street

The incident caused temporary traffic disruption along Tom Mboya Street as emergency vehicles responded and curious onlookers gathered around the scene.

There were also concerns that the fire could spread to nearby buildings, including a petrol station located close to Afya Centre. Firefighters worked to stop the flames from spreading further.

Lotus House is home to several businesses, including private offices, agencies and retail shops.

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A fire broke out at Lotus House in Nairobi CBD near Afya Centre on Monday, causing panic, traffic disruption and a major emergency response as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. pic.twitter.com/Br3biCB7Pk

— KnTimes (@kn_times) August 3, 2026

Growing Concern Over Fires in Nairobi CBD

The latest incident adds to the growing number of fire outbreaks reported in Nairobi’s commercial buildings in recent years.

Earlier this year, a fire destroyed several roadside shops along Jogoo Road after spreading through business premises.

In another incident, part of Ramogi Building on Luthuli Avenue caught fire, forcing traders to evacuate as emergency responders battled the flames.

Authorities have previously linked many fires in commercial buildings to suspected electrical faults, although the cause of the Lotus House fire has not yet been confirmed.

Emergency teams continued working at the scene as investigations into the incident got underway.

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