Property of unknown value was on Sunday destroyed, after fire broke out at Athi River Mining's Mavuno Fertilizer Company in Athi River, Machakos County.
The company's Security Manager, Joel Biondo, who addressed press at the scene, said the fire started at the Sulphur Fertilizers' store around 11.55 am.
Biondo said it was thought an electric fault started the fire, after a power blackout early in the morning.
"We think that the fire started from electric fault, subject to investigation though. Electricity was off early in the morning but when it returned, might have caused short circuit resulting to the fire break out," said Biondo.
Biondo disclosed that over 1500 bags of Sulpher and Ammonia fertilizers, product of the company completely got burnt, as the store in which they were got extensively destroyed.
The officer said he immediately called the Mavoko Sub-county's Fire Brigade crew, who responded immediately and contained the fire.
Mavoko Sub-county Fire Brigade Regional Supervisor, Dancun Kamatu, said they were forced to break the store's main door using a bull dosser tractor for the fire fighters crew to gain entry and effectively fight the fire.
Kamatu said the fire engine got obstruction from Athi River bodaboda operators and general members of the public, who milled around the company immediately the fire broke causing unnecessary delays.
He added that they managed to completely contain the fire and deter it from spreading to other structures of the company, after a five hour fight with the fire, arguing strong wind posed a challenge to the brigade crew, claiming it also fueled its quick spread.
The company got fire engine reinforcement from the G4S Security Company, which came all the way from Nairobi to assist in putting off the fire.
Kamatu said there were neither injuries nor reported casualties, though the fertilizers which got burnt were highly poisonous and explosive.