NAIROBI, Kenya — An upscale complex in Kenya’s capital came under attack on Tuesday, with a blast and heavy gunfire that led some witnesses and police officers at the scene to describe the assault as a terrorist act.

The complex in Nairobi includes a large hotel known as DusitD2, banks and offices. Several vehicles were said to have burned, and people were reported being carried from the scene.

Gunfire continued several minutes after the first reports of an attack, black smoke rose from the scene and the sirens from ambulances and security forces could be heard as they rushed in.

A police spokesman, Charles Owino, said that officers had been sent to the complex, including from the anti-terrorism unit, but he gave no more information.

The attack immediately brought comparisons to the Westgate mall attack in Nairobi in 2013, when Shabab extremists burst into the luxury shopping center, hurling grenades and starting a days-long siege that left 67 people dead.

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