The fire outbreak on Monday, March 18, 2024, at around 8 am gutted 8 residential block houses in Masese one in the southern division of Jinja City. The fire spread to the neighbourhood as the nature and closeness of the buildings aided in the easy transmission.
Kiira regional police fire brigade made a swift response, but the efforts were futile as the fire truck could not access the scene of crime. Fire rescue and prevention service officers, together with the local people, resorted to using buckets and successfully managed the fire after a number of challenges.
Police said the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, suspecting that it could have been as a result of illegal power connection or unattended to charcoal stove.
SP James Mubi, the spokesperson of Kiira regional police confirmed that no death cases nor injuries were reported.
“No life lost nor injuries sustained in the incident. Households items totaling the amount yet to be established have been destroyed, and some items saved as well,” said Mubi.
Mubi appeals to authorities to address the concerns of illegal power connections in the communities, urging residents and other stakeholders to report such cases to police to avoid negative consequences of losing lives and property.
“This brings the concern to relevant local leaders in the area to discourage and report all those involved in illegal power connections without fear or favor because the possible consequences of the bad practice involves loss of life and property and loss of government revenue,” he added.
Police asked the city authority to design and advocate for proper housing schemes in such areas without proper access routes for emergency trucks to avoid putting the blame to police especially by self seeking politicians who tend to utter baseless statements with intent to tarnish police image.
