POLICE | FIRE | JINJA

JINJA - A violent fire broke out at the Jinja-based Keshwala Group Industries and destroyed property worth millions of shillings.

The incident left employees who had turned up in the morning for work, dumbfounded as they watched fire-fighters battle with the inferno in the industry.

Police fire-fighters try to put off fire with Carbon-dioxide gas at Keshwala Group of Industries that was on fire in Jinja City on Tuesday April 4, 2023. (All Photos by Donald Kiirya)

 By press time, the cause of the Tuesday morning fire was still unknown, although witnesses at the scene claimed it could have been sparked off by electricity.

 According to the Kiira Region Police spokesperson, James Mubi, the fire gutted the building between one that houses Sodium Silicate and another that houses the administrative block of Keshwala Group of Companies.

By press time, the cause of the Tuesday morning fire was still unknown, although witnesses at the scene claimed it could have been sparked off by electricity.

 Mubi said that with support from other fire-fighting trucks from other companies, they managed to contain the fire from spreading to other buildings.

 He added that no injuries or deaths were registered at the scene and thanked the community of Walukuba and employees of Keshwala for their support.

Mubi said that all night shift staff were safely evacuated from the burning premises that housed a candle factory, store for vehicle spare parts and sweets factory among others.  

Smoke in the sky above Keshwala Group of Industries along Jinja-Masese road in Jinja City.

 Anti-riot Policemen were seen at the premises chasing away people and also restrained potential looters who wanted to enter the factory.

 Police also had to block the crowd that had converged outside the factory gate.

 Isaac Mugabi, the L.C I chairperson of Kilembe village in Masese ward, Jinja City, said the fire started at about 3:30am. 

 Mugabi said he was at his home nearby and heard loud bangs from the factory and later heard sirens of Police fire-fighting trucks and he knew that something was wrong. 

Some of the employees looked dumbfolded as Keshwala Group of Industries was on fire in Jinja City on Tuesday.

 He added that he personally arrived at the scene at 5:00am and applauded Police and other fire-fighters for their efforts in fighting the fire at Keshwala Group of Industries.

 Geoffrey Walera, an employee of Kakira Sugar Limited who was on his way to work felt sorry for his fellow youth who lost jobs after the incident.

 Walera is worried that the number of theft crimes will increase in the communities since most youth will now resort to breaking people’s houses to steal after losing jobs.

John Emuret, an employee of Security Group said they do not know the cause of the fire and requested Police to establish it in time.

By press time, five fire brigades and a truck with Carbon Dioxide gas from Modern Gas factory were still battling the fire: one from Kakira Sugar Limited (KSL), Nile Ply Industries, Southern Range Nyanza Industry and two from Jinja Police.