A dramatic incident unfolded on the busy Nairobi–Mombasa highway when a car suddenly burst into flames, leaving bystanders in shock but fortunately sparing the driver from injury.
The accident occurred on Saturday night at around 8:25 pm in the Lukenya area near Simba Cement, Athi River sub-county. According to preliminary information, the driver was heading toward Mombasa in his Audi A4 when the vehicle developed mechanical problems. Within moments, smoke and flames erupted from the engine, causing the entire car to explode into fire.
Despite the intensity of the blaze, the driver managed to escape unharmed. Witnesses said motorists and bystanders rushed to try and assist, but the fire spread too quickly. The car was completely gutted within minutes, leaving behind a charred shell.
It remains unclear whether the driver was travelling alone at the time, but officials confirmed that no injuries were reported from the incident. Quick response by traffic officers from Athi River police station ensured the area was secured promptly. They moved to control the situation, clear the wreckage from the road, and ease traffic congestion that had built up as vehicles slowed down near the scene.
Authorities have since launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the explosion. While the vehicle was confirmed to have had a mechanical issue before the fire, experts will assess whether the failure was electrical, fuel-related, or linked to another fault in the car’s system.
Incidents of vehicles catching fire along major roads are not common, but when they occur, they often spark safety concerns among motorists. Drivers are regularly urged to conduct routine maintenance checks, especially before long-distance travel, and to keep fire extinguishers in their cars as a precautionary measure.
For now, the motorist is counting himself lucky after walking away unscathed from an accident that could have ended tragically.
