Man Descends Burning Eastleigh Building on Rope as Crowd Cheers

A fire broke out at Yare Plaza along Yusuf Haji Avenue in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on the afternoon of March 3, sending thick plumes of smoke across the neighbourhood.

The blaze engulfed several floors of the multi-storey commercial building, which houses shops, offices and reportedly a mosque on an upper level. Authorities have yet to determine the cause and have started investigations.

Video footage that spread quickly online captured the intense scene. Smoke billowed heavily as people inside struggled to get out. Emergency responders, including firefighters, arrived and worked to evacuate those trapped.

Three individuals were pulled to safety from the mosque located higher up in the structure. Some occupants appeared hesitant or unable to leave on their own, adding to the urgency below.

In the middle of the chaos, one man caught attention by improvising his own exit. He secured a rope and descended from an upper floor in a controlled but rapid manner. Observers described the move as James Bond-like.

Crowd members gathered on the street watched anxiously at first. As he reached the ground safely, relief turned to loud cheers and jubilation from those watching.

No specific injuries or fatalities were reported in initial accounts. The focus remained on the rescue operation and containing the fire. Police and fire services coordinated efforts at the scene.

Eastleigh, a densely packed commercial hub known for its Somali business community and heavy foot traffic, often sees quick spread of incidents due to closely built structures and high occupancy.

The circulating clip showed both the daring descent and broader evacuation attempts. It highlighted how fast situations can escalate in such areas when fire breaks out.

Officials have not released further details on damage extent or possible business losses. The probe into the origin continues.