A massive fire broke out at Noah Garage on Spire Road in Jinja City last night, killing one person and destroying property valued at millions. The inferno, which reportedly started around 11:30 pm on Sunday, rapidly intensified and engulfed the entire timber workshop, originating from a single kiosk, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with flames consuming the garage and nearby structures. Despite efforts to contain the fire, it continued to rage, destroying everything in its path.
Police, through the Kiira regional spokesperson SP James Mubi, confirmed that the tragedy claimed the life of one Masaba, a 60-year-old night watchman at the site. Popularly known as Mzee Cobra, the deceased couldn’t escape the inferno as he was allegedly in a deep sleep.
“We managed to swiftly contain the fire outbreak using our police fire brigade and other fire vehicles from Kakira Sugar and Nytil,” Mubi told journalists on Monday morning.
Mubi explained that the focus was on preventing the fire from spreading to Oboja Road, a busy street lined with several garages and vehicle materials. Firefighters were hindered by blocked alleys, making access to the scene difficult.
“City planners and technocrats should address the issue of blocked alleys because we often struggle to access the scene due to these blocked routes,” Mubi lamented.
The uncertainty has left many timber traders, furniture dealers, and carpenters devastated, with some calling for aid. Affected traders, Wilber Gwaya and Jamil Byakatonda, expressed their distress, citing significant losses and ongoing financial struggles.
“We lost several properties, including already-made furniture, machines, and timber,” said Wilber, an affected timber dealer.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The identity of the deceased has not been released.
The community is in shock following the tragic incident, with many offering condolences to the victim’s family and those who lost their properties in the blaze.
In August last year, a similar fire broke out just opposite this location. However, no police report has been issued regarding that incident.
The incident has sparked concerns about the frequency of fires in the area, prompting Jinja City Councillor Nakato Wakabi to demand a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the blaze.
As a result, local authorities are facing mounting pressure to strengthen fire safety enforcement, clear access routes, and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
