Police have called for more vigilance among locals to ensure safety after a fire that broke out at a timber shop in Jinja city claimed a life and destroyed property worth millions.
Police say the incident happened around 12:30 am on February 10, 2025 in Jinja City, Spire Road Cell, Jinja Central Ward, Jinja Southern Division.
During a security media briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, February 10, 2025, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke revealed the fire engulfed a garage housing multiple workshops owned by Nanabi Stephen, claiming the life of 60-year old Muzei Masaba a night watchman who was likely asleep when the fire broke out and could not escape in time.
Firefighters, with assistance from Fire Agro, Tasko, and Nile Breweries Factory, managed to extinguish the blaze. While the exact cause remains undetermined, preliminary investigations suggest it may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit.
Kituuma urged the public to invest in fire safety equipment, emphasizing that many fires could be contained in their early stages.
“Our experience as Uganda Police is that fire starts small. In this instance, our clues are centering on an electrical circuit. Some of these fires can be put out or contained in their infant stages before the big firefighting equipment arrives,” he said.
He noted that preliminary assessments revealed no firefighting equipment on-site, despite the high-value assets lost in the fire.
In a related appeal, Kituuma warned against the dangerous practice of siphoning fuel from overturned tankers. He cited recent incidents where individuals rushed to accident scenes with jerry cans to collect spilled fuel, posing serious risks.
“Sometimes, as police, we find it difficult to prevent these accidents upfront because they occur near populated areas. Usually, residents are the first to arrive at the scene,” he explained.
He called on local leaders to take the matter seriously, warning that the persistent habit of fuel siphoning endangers lives.
Police continue to investigate the fire incident and urge the public to prioritize fire safety measures.
