Nairobi's International Airport Burnt Down

Activities came to halt at the Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday when a massive fire gutted it, causing extensive damage and a potentially huge toll on Kenya’s tourism and commerce.

The blaze had engulfed the airport’s entire international terminal, Ken Mijungu of Media Nigeria affiliate NTV reported.

No casualties were reported from the fire, which sent a large plume of thick black smoke into the sky.

The airport will be closed indefinitely, the Interior Ministry tweeted. No flights were departing or arriving, and some flights were being diverted to other airports.

Depending on how long the airport is closed, the blaze could have a serious impact on the flow of tourists into the country and the export of agricultural products.

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and a major travel hub in Africa. Fresh fruits and vegetables are exported from there to Europe by plane many times a week.

Battling the blaze
Fire engines were running dangerously low on water during early stages of battling the flames, the Interior Ministry tweeted.

But by Wednesday afternoon, the fire had been contained.

Mijungu said parts of the duty-free area had been demolished for construction last week, but the cause of the blaze was not known.

Nothing has been ruled out, Kenyan government spokesman Muthui Kariuki said.

Security is being ramped up at the airport, said Josef Ole Lenku, Kenya’s Cabinet secretary for interior and security.