Fuel fire guts train

By Milton Olupot, Davis Weddi,and Geoffrey Kamali A HUGE cloud of smoke covered Kampala skies last evening after a goods train hit a fuel tanker at a level crossing near Mukwano Industrial complex, setting both ablaze.Two people, the train driver, Muhoozi and his assistant, Okosa, were reported missing by press time.Witnesses said they saw two men fleeing the scene engulfed in flames. The reports could not, however, be independently confirmed. Other casualties included Oluka, Hajji Salumanya, Olweny and another unidentified man, all crew members of the train. The truck driver and his loader, were also injured in the accident. All casualties were rushed to Mulago and Nsambya hospitals.A thick column of dark smoke attacked the skies, occasionally mingling with red-hot flames, and emitting very high temperatures. The smoke could be seen from as far as Mukono town.A combined force of the Police, military Police and private security firms battled large crowds of onlookers, anxious to get closer to scene.The officers punched, slapped, kicked and hit with sticks, the defiant crowds, as they tried to force their way nearer the conflagration.Fire fighters battled the flames using chemical foam, water and sand to smother the raging flames. The Police chief fire officer, Joseph Mugisa, described the fire as Class B fire. Other Police sources said it was the biggest fire in recent times.Two smaller fires in different parts of Kampala suburbs had to be abandoned to concentrate on the train fire. The fire occurred less than a kilometre from a Shell petrol station and Mukwano industrial complex, which makes oils and soaps.Mugisa said the impact of the collision and the resultant spillage of fuel started the fire.The train, pulling 29 wagons of maize destined to Port Bell pier for export, reportedly hit the semi-trailer oil tanker, dragging it several metres off the road.Four of the wagons and the engine were burnt extensively. The engine, however, remained running despite the fire.Traffic was diverted from Press Road to the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth streets and Station Road causing a massive traffic jam on Jinja and Kampala roads. About 10 fire fighting trucks and fire tenders, some belonging to Mukwano Industries, were marshaled to the scene. Two ambulances were on standby.Police chief Maj. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, who arrived at the scene later, blamed the accident on the tanker driver. “It is unfortunate that this incident has taken place,” he said. He said the driver had already been given warning by the train several times, which he ignored. By press time, the fire had not yet been extinguished. There have been five train accidents at the same spot this year.