Nairobi airport closes as fire crews tackle blaze
The airport is a key regional hub
A fire has broken out at the main international airport in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) had been closed and passengers evacuated.Cabinet secretary for transport Michael Kamau said the fire was "very severe" and urged people to stay away from the airport.
Images showed flames raging from one of the main buildings.
One report suggested the entire airport was being evacuated.
There have been no reports of any casualties and the cause of the fire is not clear.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is an important regional hub for East Africa, with many long-distance flights landing there to connect to countries across the region.
'Serious fire' The BBC's David Okwembah, who is at the airport, says many ambulances are going to the scene as well as fire engines.
He said a junior police officer told the BBC the fire had started at the airport's immigration offices, although this has not been confirmed.
"KAA Fire and Rescue Team is on [the] ground being assisted by G4S and Nairobi Fire Brigade. Passengers have been evacuated to safety."
Mutea Iringo, a senior official at the interior and national co-ordination ministry, also confirmed "a serious fire" at JKIA, adding: "We are doing everything possible to avert a crisis.
"Apart from emergency landings, all flights into and out of JKIA have been cancelled... [the] airport has been shut down."
The KAA said only emergency vehicles were allowed in the area.
end quote from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23598012
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