Three people have been confirmed dead after a fire swept through a seven-story building along Rashid Khamisi Road in Kampala’s city centre.
The fire, which broke out around 10:00 am, started in the basement shops of the Sunshine hotel building, near Namayiba Bus Park and the Swarayan Indian worship centre in Old Kampala.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) spokesperson Daniel Nuwabine confirmed that a joint rescue operation involving KCCA ambulances, Red Cross teams, and police units had transported 17 injured survivors to nearby medical facilities, including Kisenyi, Kiruddu, and Doctor’s Clinic.
“We have deployed 10 ambulances, and five high-capacity fire trucks, and are working closely with the police. We’re doing everything possible to manage the situation effectively” Nuwabine stated.
Two bodies were retrieved from the upper floors of the building. One of the victims, a male adult, died after falling from the fifth floor while attempting to escape through a window, according to an eyewitness Abas Mutale.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was triggered by the improper mixing of chemical materials stored in one of the shops. Henry Musazi, an auto shop owner in the building, indicated that a newly hired employee may have mishandled detergent chemicals, leading to the blaze.
“Our colleague had hired someone new, and we believe they made an error mixing the chemicals, which caused the fire,” Musazi explained.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago criticized the slow response of fire teams, stating that it took over five hours to bring the fire under control. He blamed the inefficiency on the government’s failure to equip emergency services adequately.
“The fact that a fire in the city centre raged for over five hours without being brought under control is a stark reminder of the weaknesses in our government institutions. It’s appalling that our fire brigade lacks the necessary equipment to respond effectively,” Lukwago said.
He also condemned the risky rescue methods used, expressing dismay that responders placed mattresses on the ground and instructed people trapped on the sixth floor to jump instead of using safer techniques.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that the fire quickly filled corridors and rooms with thick smoke, making evacuation difficult.
“Unfortunately, one male adult, yet to be identified, was found dead. Properties worth billions of shillings were destroyed. The operation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided,” Onyango stated.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the exact cause of the fire and assessing the full extent of the damage.
Handling chemicals is not for everyone, but some people look at people who handle chemicals with that disgusting contempt, and ridicule.
Now look at what happened 7 storey building in flames just because a new unskilled employee trying to teach himself