A fire that broke out in the basement of Mabiriizi Complex along Kampala Road on Tuesday morning forced traders to temporarily close their businesses and rush to remove merchandise for fear of losing their property. The fire broke out at about 11:30 am, reportedly after a generator in the building’s underground parking area burst into flames.
The police fire brigade, supported by the army, responded to the scene and contained the fire before it could spread to other parts of the building. Musa Mutyaba, one of the traders, told URN that the fire started after the generator caught fire in the basement.
He said he initially attempted to extinguish the fire using water but was forced to abandon the effort after being overwhelmed by smoke. The incident triggered panic among traders, with several businesses temporarily shutting down as owners and employees moved their merchandise to safety.
Witnesses said this was the second time a fire had threatened the complex, with police successfully containing the previous incident. By the time of publishing this story, the fire had been brought under control, and traders had been advised to return to their businesses and resume operations.
However, the building was left without electricity following the incident, disrupting businesses that depend on power to operate equipment such as photocopiers, refrigerators and other appliances. Some traders opted to return home, saying the disruption had made the day unproductive and caused them significant losses-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
