Residents of Masese 1 in Jinja city southern division, on Monday wrestled to manage the fire outbreak that gutted eight residential block houses on Monday, March 18.
The fire started at around 8am and spread to the neighbourhood due to the nature of the structure of the buildings and setting of the place.
Kiira regional police fire brigade swiftly responded, but the fire truck could not access the scene of crime.
Residents, together with the fire rescue and prevention service officers, used buckets to manage the fire, and their efforts yielded a success despite the challenges.
The actual cause of the fire, according to police is yet to be established.
Police suggest that the incident could have resulted from the illegal power connection or unattended to charcoal stove.
“The actual cause of the fire is yet to be determined. However, it could have been a result of illegal power connection or unattended to charcoal stove,” SP James Mubi, the spokesperson of Kiira regional police said.
No lives were lost, and no injuries were sustained in the incident. Households items totaling the amount yet to be established were destroyed, and some items saved as well.
Mubi said the concerns of illegal power connections are drawn to the attention of relevant local leaders in the areas to discourage and report all those involved in illegal power theft.
“Report all those who involve in illegal power connections without fear or favour because the possible consequences of the bad practice involves loss of life and property and loss of government revenue,” Mubi added.
“Power theft also leads to poor infrastructure in the country and increased cost of production for factories or businesses that need huge power consumption,” he said.
Police call on city authorities to design and advocate for proper housing schemes in such areas with no proper access routes for emergency trucks to avoid putting the blame to police.
“Proper access routes are needed to avoid blames to police especially by self seeking politicians who tend to utter baseless statements with intent to tarnish police image,” Mubi noted.
