A late-night fire on Thursday, September 4, left a trail of destruction at Katani Villas, a gated residential estate along Katani Road in Syokimau.

Residents say the inferno broke out around 7:30 pm, rapidly engulfing several homes and forcing families to flee for safety. Thick smoke from the blaze could be seen billowing as far as Mombasa Road, drawing widespread attention.

Emergency crews from both Machakos and Nairobi counties responded to distress calls, battling the flames alongside residents. The firefighting operation stretched late into the night as responders struggled to contain the fast-spreading fire.

By the time the blaze was subdued, multiple houses had been destroyed, with valuables and household goods reduced to ashes.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. However, residents described chaotic moments as they tried to save belongings and help neighbors escape the flames.

“We were caught completely off guard, but everyone did what they could to help,” one resident told reporters.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities are expected to launch investigations to establish what triggered the inferno. As of Friday morning, no official figures on the extent of the damage had been released.

Katani Villas, located just off Mombasa Road, is a modern gated community favored for its affordability and proximity to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Nairobi’s CBD. The estate is home to dozens of families, many of whom are now counting heavy financial losses.