Blaze closes Kenya's main airport

Firefighters are battling a large blaze raging at Kenya’s main international airport.

The Kenya Airports Authority said that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has been closed until further notice so that emergency teams can tackle the fire. Billowing smoke could be seen from miles away.

Associated Press reporters at the scene described the blaze as huge and said it appeared the fire had gutted the international arrivals area, where passengers pass through immigration and retrieve their luggage.

Stranded passengers stood on pavements outside the airport holding their luggage.

Inbound flights have been rerouted to other Kenyan airports.

As in many countries in East Africa, public sector services like police and fire units are hindered by small budgets and outdated or no equipment.

British passenger Martyn Collbeck said he was surprised that the airport was not shut down sooner so that emergency vehicles could respond.

“When I arrived there were one or two fire engines parked outside the international arrivals. It spread very fast,” said Mr Collbeck, who had been scheduled to fly back to London on an early morning KLM flight.

“There were a couple of explosions which I think were a couple of gas canisters.”

But, he added: “I would have expected more fire engines to respond faster.”

The Nairobi airport is the busiest airport in East Africa, and its closure is likely to affect flights throughout the region.