Minutes after leaving Sagana station, an empty petroleum train on its way from Nanyuki to Nairobi caught fire.
There were no recorded casualties, and those on board the train were unharmed.
When the railway engine went up in flames, the six-wagon train had just departed Sagana rail station on its way to Nairobi.
Those in the train cockpit were able to evacuate and utilize the fire extinguisher cans they had on hand to contain the fire until Murang’a station firefighters arrived minutes later.
Caroline Muthoni, a resident who was at home ready to go to church, said she saw the train from afar and could see smoke pouring out of it after some time.
Firefighters were able to put out the fire, which was triggered by an electric fault and destroyed a portion of the train.
Locals, oblivious to the dangers, began posing for selfies as they toured the train that had stalled on its tracks, much like any other usual accident scene in Kenya.
Captain Anthony Mwangi, the chief firefighter in Murang’a, said they received the distress call at 9:30 a.m. and used a foam extinguisher to put out the fire. They were able to avert a worsening of the crisis.
