Property worth over Sh25 million was on Friday reduced to ashes after a fire razed down a factory in Athi River, Machakos County.
Speaking to hivisasa.com at Aqualine Distributors Company which was razed down shortly after the fire had been contained by Mavoko Sub County's fire brigade, the company's director Mr Hillary Kitur said the burnt pyrolysis plant was completely damaged and hence required 100 per cent replacement.
"The fire has completely affected the entire pyrolysis plant that is worth over Sh25 million. The whole system needs a 100 per cent replacement," said Kitur.
"This was an emergency. Part of the pyrolysis plant accidentally disconnected while operations were underway making steam ready for condensation process return to the combustion chamber leading to fire sparks," said Kitur.
He said the accident happened when workers at the company, which manufactures industrial diesel oil, carbon black and steel metals from recycled used motor vehicle tyres, were on duty. He said the workers were unable to control the fire because it had interfered with the plant's control panel that equally cut off electricity supply to the system.
He said though there were no casualties, some criminal elements from the neighbouring slums took advantage and accessed the company through the fence and looted its metals and iron sheets of unknown value.
Kitur said the fire engine responded within five minutes after he called them.
He lamented that they were still servicing loans which they had borrowed from various banks to establish and run the plant.
Kitur said the company had directly employed 21 employees who have now been rendered jobless.
Mavoko sub county fire brigade supervisor Mr Duncan Kamatu said they managed to control the fire in time before spreading to neighbouring houses including banks.