Property worth millions lost as fire guts house in Masindi
“They lost clothes that they were selling and other household items. The property destroyed is worth millions of shillings,” she said.
Masindi: Property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed after fire gutted a residential house in Southern Cell, Central Division of Masindi Municipality.
The fire broke out at around 5 p.m. on Monday, destroying clothes, household items and children’s school uniforms.
Maimona Namutebi, a neighbour, said residents suspect the fire started from a charcoal stove because the house was not connected to electricity.
“We suspect the fire could have started from a charcoal stove. The house was not connected to electricity,” Namutebi said.
She said no one was injured because all the occupants were outside when the fire started.
Namutebi added that the family had also lost clothes that were meant for sale, further increasing the financial loss.
“They lost clothes that they were selling and other household items. The property destroyed is worth millions of shillings,” she said.
Ronald Bbosa, the LC1 Chairperson for Southern Cell, said he received a call from residents about the fire at around 5 p.m.
According to Bbosa, residents suspect the fire started after a child entered the house to prepare food using a charcoal stove.
He criticised what he described as a delayed response by the fire brigade, saying the emergency team arrived at around 7 p.m.
“I received the call at around 5 p.m., but the fire brigade arrived at about 7 p.m. By then, most of the property had already been destroyed,” Bbosa said.
Bbosa appealed to well-wishers to support the affected family, which lost most of its household belongings.
“The family has lost almost everything, including children’s school uniforms. We appeal to well-wishers to come in and support them,” he said.
He also urged residents to exercise caution when using charcoal stoves, warning against cooking indoors or leaving stoves unattended.
However, Solomon Mugisa, the Albertine North Regional Community Liaison Officer and Acting Regional Police Spokesperson, said the police fire brigade responded to the incident and extinguished the fire.
Mugisa cautioned residents against attempting to fight major fires on their own, urging them to immediately contact the police for assistance.
“When there is a major fire, people should not attempt to put it out themselves. They should immediately contact the police so that the fire brigade can respond,” Mugisa said.
He attributed some fire outbreaks to negligence, including leaving charcoal stoves unattended and hiring unqualified people to carry out electrical wiring.
Mugisa urged residents to take precautionary measures to prevent fire outbreaks and protect lives and property.
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