MBARARA – Traders lost timber and other properties worth millions of shillings on Friday after a fire razed workshops along Victor Bwana Road in Mbarara City.
It is alleged the fire was started by somebody yet to be identified. The fire destroyed timber molding machines, milling machines, and kiosks.
Jowelia Nabukera, one of the traders who lost her store in the inferno, said traders were caught unaware and as such could not put it off it.
“We could not do much to put off the fire because it was very strong with wild flames the fact that it’s a dry season and all the timber was dry,” Nabukera said.
Joseph Mukasa, another affected timber dealer, said that he has lost more than Shs 100 million to the fire.
“I am in total shock and I don’t know what next for me because all my investment was in timber and in timber machines,” Mukasa said.
Mbarara City mayor, Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi condemned the police firefighting brigade for delaying to respond to the unfortunate fire incident within the city.
“It is unfortunate that our police rescue team here in Mbarara arrived late. The residents had to fight on their own to put off the fire but could not save any property. So let the government equip all the police stations with at least emergency firefighting trucks,” he said.
According to SP Samson Kasasira, the police fire rescue team was dispatched to extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading to the neighbouring buildings.
By press time, the inquiries into the matter were still ongoing.
The incident comes a few weeks after a fire gutted New Mwengura Suits in Mbarara City, destroying property such as tents, plastic chairs, and others worth millions of shillings.
https://thecooperator.news/vendors-lose-millions-as-fire-guts-kitagwenda-market/
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