Wild Fire Burns Seven Huts In Gulu

An afternoon fire has burnt seven grass-thatched huts in Kabedopong ‘'A'' village in Laroo division in Gulu Municipality.

No property was rescued from the inferno that quickly spread in hot and windy weather. Sylvester Okoya, a resident of the area told URN that the fire emanated from a burning garbage dump. Okoya says huge flames quickly covered the compound, making it difficult for residents to put it out. 

No injuries have been reported. 

Police fire tender truck was called in to put off the fire. This is the third incident of fire within Gulu municipality in a space of two months. 

In December, fire broke out in a timber market in Cere Leno suburb leaving traders in tears as millions of shillings went up in flames.

Early this month, another incident in Olayo-ilong sub ward in Layibi division reduced three huts to ashes. Outside Gulu, a pine tree plantation estimated to be worth 500 million shillings was consumed by fire last week in Amuru district. 

The peak of the dry season in Northern Uganda is often characterised by scorching sunshine that renders its lush savannah grassland vegetation extremely vulnerable to fire.  

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson says security has not been very lucky to arrest those who negligently handle fire during the dry season.