Fire guts shops in Lira town
Dec 11, 2008
Businesses on Oyam Street in Lira town on Tuesday came to a standstill when fire razed a commercial building at Kitgum stage.
By Bonney Odongo and Patrick Okino
Businesses on Oyam Street in Lira town on Tuesday came to a standstill when fire razed a commercial building at Kitgum stage.
The Police battled the inferno that broke out in the early morning. It destroyed a building containing shops and residential apartments.
Alex Omwa, the officer in charge of the Rapid Response Unit at Lira Central Police Station, said household items including chairs, mattresses, beds, kitchen utensils and personal effects were burnt to ashes.
The regional fire officer, Boniface Owor, led the Police fire brigade team from Gulu, which was called in after the Lira Police failed. The fire was contained at 8:00 am.
Owor said it was caused a candle which had been left unattended in one of the rooms.
“The fire started in one of the rooms and spread to five others before it was contained,†he said.
He added: “The public should be very careful when using candles. This has been a major cause of fire in the district besides electricity.â€
Several tenants, most of them women and children, were affected by the inferno and were left homeless. However, no injury was reported.
Businesses on Oyam Street in Lira town on Tuesday came to a standstill when fire razed a commercial building at Kitgum stage.
The Police battled the inferno that broke out in the early morning. It destroyed a building containing shops and residential apartments.
Alex Omwa, the officer in charge of the Rapid Response Unit at Lira Central Police Station, said household items including chairs, mattresses, beds, kitchen utensils and personal effects were burnt to ashes.
The regional fire officer, Boniface Owor, led the Police fire brigade team from Gulu, which was called in after the Lira Police failed. The fire was contained at 8:00 am.
Owor said it was caused a candle which had been left unattended in one of the rooms.
“The fire started in one of the rooms and spread to five others before it was contained,†he said.
He added: “The public should be very careful when using candles. This has been a major cause of fire in the district besides electricity.â€
Several tenants, most of them women and children, were affected by the inferno and were left homeless. However, no injury was reported.