A massive fire tore through the top floor of a high-rise building along Kumasi Road in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Friday afternoon, destroying several shops and sending shockwaves through the city’s busy commercial heart.

The blaze, which broke out next to Barkat Biashara Mall and directly opposite the Simba Coach booking centre, sent thick clouds of smoke billowing into the air, drawing a large crowd of onlookers and triggering a frantic emergency response.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and battled the flames as business owners in the surrounding area scrambled to shut down their shops, fearing the fire could leap to adjacent buildings.

Though emergency crews worked swiftly to contain the inferno and evacuate those believed to be inside, the full extent of injuries or fatalities remains unclear. Authorities have yet to confirm any casualties, but the economic toll is already significant, with property worth millions believed to have been lost.

Videos circulating on social media captured dramatic scenes of the burning top floor, with emergency responders coordinating rescue efforts as some people continued going about their business, seemingly unfazed by the chaos unfolding just metres away.

A police officer at the scene told reporters, “We’re still assessing the situation. For now, we are focused on ensuring everyone is safe and the fire does not spread to nearby buildings.”

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway.

Traders affected by the fire have called for swift government intervention and support, urging the Nairobi City County to improve emergency preparedness within the CBD.