Traders cry foul as fire destroys businesses in Kyankwanzi
"The fire is believed to have been caused by a burning charcoal stove that may have been locked in one of the kiosks," Kigozi said.
Wamala Regional Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi said preliminary findings indicate that the blaze was most likely sparked by a charcoal stove. (File photo)
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Authorities in Kyankwanzi district have launched investigations into the cause of a fire that razed down several roadside kiosks in Butemba Town Council, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
The inferno, which broke out at about 2:00am on Tuesday in Church Zone, Bukwiri Ward, destroyed a number of kiosks that housed retail shops and other small businesses, disrupting livelihoods for several traders.
Although the exact value of the property destroyed is yet to be established, police said assessment of the damage is ongoing. According to the traders, they lost property worth millions of shillings.
Wamala Regional Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi said preliminary findings indicate that the blaze was most likely sparked by a charcoal stove that had allegedly been left burning inside one of the kiosks before the premises were locked.
Using available firefighting equipment and improvised means, residents joined police to contain the fire before it engulfed a larger section of the trading area.
Despite the extensive destruction of property, police confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
The incident has, however, left several traders stranded after losing their merchandise.
Officials said a comprehensive assessment is being conducted to determine the number of affected businesses and the value of losses incurred.
The latest incident comes amid heightened concerns over fire outbreaks during the ongoing dry season, where high temperatures and strong winds rapidly spread flames.
Police have urged members of the public, particularly traders and homeowners who use charcoal stoves, to exercise greater caution before leaving their premises unattended.
Kigozi appealed to the public to ensure that all cooking stoves and other potential fire hazards are completely extinguished before closing businesses or retiring for the night.
He noted that negligence where people leave burning charcoal stoves in closed premises was the leading cause of fires.