Roads now closed after Sarit Centre fire

Roads around Sarit Centre have now been closed following heavy smoke emanating from the building.

Ring Road and Karuna Road have been temporarily cordoned off as police urge motorists to avoid the Sarit Centre roundabout.

Alternative routes include Lower Kabete to access Westgate Mall, Waiyaki Way to Chiromo Road and Parklands to Mpaka Road.

The fire is said to be domiciled at Bata Shoe store due to the leather products sold there.

A team of journalists from CitizenTV  are at the scene and report that angry flames are still raging from the ground floor.

The mall’s management had earlier sent a statement saying that the fire had been been contained and there was no cause to worry.

“We would like to inform all our tenants and shoppers that there was a small fire in one of our outlets on the ground floor which has now been contained by Sarit Centre security, staff and the Nairobi County Fire Department. No injuries reported,” the mall management said.

Pictures showed thick smoke billowing from the roof of the building. Shoppers and motorists are still being evacuated.

Over 25,000 people visit the mall daily, a statement on the Sarit Centre website reads.

It is alleged that the fire broke out from inside one of the shops within the mall that houses retail shops, offices, medical facilities and other utilities.

Sarit Centre, that was built in 1983, was recently renovated at a cost of Sh4 billion, according to local dailies.

Westgate Mall, that is located a few metres from Sarit Centre, was attacked by terrorists in September 2013.