Kenya Railways has launched investigations into a cargo train fire that broke out along the Magadi rail corridor, with preliminary findings pointing to mechanical damage to the locomotive’s fuel tank as the likely cause.
The cargo train, operated by Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd, caught fire on Wednesday while passing through Simba Station, prompting an emergency response from railway officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Kenya Railways said initial investigations suggest the blaze may have started after the locomotive’s fuel tank suffered mechanical damage, leading to a fuel leak that is believed to have ignited.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the fire is believed to have originated from mechanical damage to the locomotive’s fuel tank, causing fuel leakage and sparking. Investigations to establish the exact cause of the incident are ongoing,” the corporation said.
Kenya Railways noted that investigators are still examining the incident to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fire.
The corporation said its management is working closely with Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd following the incident, while emergency and technical teams have been deployed to the scene to support recovery efforts and assess the extent of the damage.
The affected train operates along the Magadi rail corridor, a key industrial route used to transport soda ash and other industrial cargo from Magadi to various destinations across the country. The railway remains an important link in Kenya’s freight transport network, supporting the movement of goods for industries.
No cases of injury or death had been reported by the time the of publication
This event, nevertheless, has raised fears regarding the safety and maintenance of the industrial locomotives that run through the railway lines in Kenya as the government pushes ahead with its efforts to revive the metre gauge railway line.
Kenya Railways said investigations are continuing in collaboration with the train’s owners and assured the public that more details will be released once the inquiry is complete.
