A trailer burst into flames along the Busia–Malaba Highway on Wednesday, February 4, after a gas cylinder exploded inside the driver’s cabin, narrowly claiming the driver’s life.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver had stopped by the roadside to take a break and prepare a meal when he allegedly fell asleep, leaving the gas stove on for an extended period.
The accumulated gas later ignited, triggering a powerful explosion that engulfed the entire cabin in flames, trapping the driver inside.
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First responders at the scene revealed that the intense fire caused the trailer’s locking system to jam, making rescue efforts difficult.
“The driver had locked the doors, but they refused to open due to the heat. We were forced to break the window to pull him out; otherwise, he would have been burnt alive,” one witness said.
Bystanders also managed to retrieve the gas cylinder from the burning cabin. Attempts to extinguish the fire using soil and water were unsuccessful, as the flames continued to rage.
To prevent the fire from spreading, other motorists who had parked near the trailer were instructed to move their vehicles to a safe distance.
Witnesses faulted the police, fire department, and county government for delayed response, claiming emergency services arrived nearly an hour after the incident.
“We waited almost one hour for firefighters and about 50 minutes for police officers, yet their stations are not far from here,” another witness lamented.
The driver sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention. His condition remains undisclosed.
The incident comes just weeks after another truck driver lost his life in a separate accident along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass, raising renewed concerns over road safety and emergency response times.