By KT Reporter
Fire has gutted a commercial building in Hoima city, destroying property worth millions of Shillings. The blaze broke out around 3 p.m. on Wednesday in a commercial building housing several businesses in Bank Cell along Market Street, near Hoima Central Market. The structure hosted restaurants, wholesale, and retail shops.
Norman Ntaro, the area LC1 Chairperson, says residents heard a loud blast from one of the restaurants that was followed by huge flames. They immediately alerted the police, fire, and rescue services, who rushed to put out the fire. David Byamukama, a resident, explains that he saw huge flames emerging from behind the commercial building after a loud blast.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, says the fire brigade and rescue team responded swiftly and contained the fire, adding that they have commenced investigations to establish the exact cause.
This is not the first time Hoima city has experienced such incidents. Last month, fire gutted another commercial building in Kiryatete, a suburb of Hoima city, destroying property worth millions. The blaze, which broke out around 2 p.m., hit a building that housed both wholesale and retail shops. The police, fire brigade, and rescue team quickly responded and contained the flames.
In June, a fire gutted the dormitory of Hoima Town Mosque Nursery and Primary School along Old Tooro Road in Hoima city, causing extensive property damage worth millions. The blaze broke out at around 11 a.m. while pupils were in lessons, leaving dozens of students in tears after losing personal belongings, including books, mattresses, and clothes.
In December 2017, another commercial building along Old Toro Road was destroyed by fire, affecting businesses such as an electronics shop, two general merchandise shops, Airtel offices, Nilkanth Pharmacy Limited, Robert’s Boutique, DSTV offices, and Kimojo Services, a dry-cleaning company.
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