Four injured in Namagoma fuel fire
AT least four people were yesterday seriously injured when a fuel tanker overturned and burst into flames in front of two semi-permanent commercial houses and burnt a roadside market at Namagoma.
By Eddie Ssejjoba
AT least four people were yesterday seriously injured when a fuel tanker overturned and burst into flames in front of two semi-permanent commercial houses and burnt a roadside market at Namagoma.
Eye witnesses said the fuel truck, registration number UAK 622Q belonging to Total Company, branched off the main road at a high speed at Namagoma Bodaboda stage on the Kampala-Masaka highway at about 3.00pm.
They said the truck was following two others that had moments earlier branched off in the same direction into a village, where the drivers allegedly siphon fuel for sale.
Two commercial houses were burnt to ashes, and no attempts were made to save the property as flames spread fast after the truck overturned.
The flames snaked through a nearby trench, burning crops as villagers scampered for safety.
Residents intervened when a shop owner, only identified as Hamis, attempted to grab a gun from a Police officer, accusing the Police of failure to respond to their complaints.
He said unscrupulous people had put their lives at risk for a long time by siphoning fuel in their village but no attempt had been taken to restrain them.
Another business woman, Rehema Nabakka, said she lost 100 sacks of charcoal, fish and other items, which she had bought using money she had borrowed from Pride Microfinance.
Samuel Nsubuga, who operated a restaurant, said he lost everything but he saw the driver jumping out of the vehicle and fled on a bodaboda.
Wakiso district Police commander, Abou Kalule, said Police fire fighters arrived at the scene 15 minutes after the incident and were able to suppress the fire. He said the injured were rushed to Mulago Hospital.
He said they would investigate the reports that fuel tank drivers use the route to siphon fuel.
AT least four people were yesterday seriously injured when a fuel tanker overturned and burst into flames in front of two semi-permanent commercial houses and burnt a roadside market at Namagoma.
Eye witnesses said the fuel truck, registration number UAK 622Q belonging to Total Company, branched off the main road at a high speed at Namagoma Bodaboda stage on the Kampala-Masaka highway at about 3.00pm.
They said the truck was following two others that had moments earlier branched off in the same direction into a village, where the drivers allegedly siphon fuel for sale.
Two commercial houses were burnt to ashes, and no attempts were made to save the property as flames spread fast after the truck overturned.
The flames snaked through a nearby trench, burning crops as villagers scampered for safety.
Residents intervened when a shop owner, only identified as Hamis, attempted to grab a gun from a Police officer, accusing the Police of failure to respond to their complaints.
He said unscrupulous people had put their lives at risk for a long time by siphoning fuel in their village but no attempt had been taken to restrain them.
Another business woman, Rehema Nabakka, said she lost 100 sacks of charcoal, fish and other items, which she had bought using money she had borrowed from Pride Microfinance.
Samuel Nsubuga, who operated a restaurant, said he lost everything but he saw the driver jumping out of the vehicle and fled on a bodaboda.
Wakiso district Police commander, Abou Kalule, said Police fire fighters arrived at the scene 15 minutes after the incident and were able to suppress the fire. He said the injured were rushed to Mulago Hospital.
He said they would investigate the reports that fuel tank drivers use the route to siphon fuel.