A driver escaped narrowly after his trailer caught fire along Mombasa Road few metres from Green Park Gardens in Athi River, Machakos county on Wednesday morning.
Kevin Maluki was driving the vehicle belonging to Shiva Careers Limited when the 4.30 am incident occurred.
Addressing the Star at the scene, the driver’s workmates said a rear tire of the trailer jammed before jamming thereby igniting 11 others burning them completely.
“We were immediately called by the driver who is our colleague at Shiva Careers Limited few minutes past 4.30 am informing us about the incident. We managed to rush to the scene and found while the vehicle was still in flames given that we had spent the night at Makutano Junction,” said Changwaya.
Rashid Changwaya said the lorry loaded with coil wire was transporting the consignment from Mombasa to Absine Steel Limited, a steel company in Athi River town.
Changwaya said they successfully helped the driver disconnect cabin from the trailer to prevent it from catching fire.
He said fire brigade from Mavoko sub-county who responded to the scene found when all tires of the trailer had been completely consumed by fire.
“We appreciate the brigade helped put out the fire but they responded late after the tires were consumed,” said Changwaya.
Changwaya said before the brigade got to the scene, they tried putting out the fire using a hand extinguisher in vain since its chemical got exhausted.